Rail accessibility and inclusion news
News about accessibility and inclusion initiatives, projects, policy, training and technology in the rail and urban transport sectors.
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NewsBritish influence in JR East’s next Shinkansen rolling stock design
JAPAN: East Japan Railway has issued the first images of its E10 Shinkansen high speed trainset.
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Rail Business UKImproving disability awareness training for rail staff
UK: The effectiveness of the disability training received by rail staff and new models of raising awareness are to be studied by the Royal National Institute of Blind People and the Community Rail Network, backed by funding from the Motability Foundation. The two-year ‘On track for ...
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Rail Business UKDatabases launched to make better use of transport accessibility research
UK: The National Centre for Accessible Transport has launched a database to consolidate accessible transport research, strategy and policy-related documents, along with a transport barriers database highlighting the challenges that disabled people face. NCAT said the initiatives ‘mark a significant step forward in providing robust evidence ...
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Rail Business UKRail regulator seeks feedback on assessment of assistance to disabled passengers
UK: The Office of Rail & Road is asking for views on its plans for annual assessments rating how train operators and Network Rail provide assistance to disabled passengers. The regulator said this would strengthen its ability to hold operators to account for poor performance, highlight ...
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Rail Business UKViewpoint: ‘Persons with Reduced Mobility’ risks becoming an outdated term
Persons with Reduced Mobility was once considered a progressive descriptor, yet now it stands as a reminder of how industries must remain agile in their accessibility approach, says Emma Partlow, Director of Consumer Engagement & Policy at Transreport.
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Rail Business UK3D digital maps designed to help people navigate stations
UK: Govia Thameslink Railway is testing digital 3D maps designed to help passengers, and particularly those who are disabled, gain more confidence in navigating its stations. GTR had received feedback that the existing bird’s-eye view maps of its stations could be improved, as they were not ...
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Rail Business UKBlind passengers offered accessibility app access at all GTR stations
UK: Govia Thameslink Railway now offers free use of a smartphone app designed to enhance accessibility for blind and partially sighted passengers at all 236 of its managed stations. The Aira Explorer app allows users to place a video call with a trained adviser who looks ...
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Rail Business UKAudio guide to help blind passengers use Thameslink trains
UK: Thameslink has released an audio guide describing its 115 Siemens Mobility Class 700 trains which was written with the help of blind passenger Dave Smith who sits on the operator’s accessibility Advisory Panel. The guide is available on the Assisted Travel pages of the company’s ...
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Metro Report InternationalCairo operator trials sign language services
EGYPT: Operator RATP Dev is trialling sign language services on the Capital Train line which connects Cairo with the New Administrative Capital. Instructional videos with sign language translation will be available at ticket offices and on platforms at Adly Mansour station, enabling passengers with hearing impairments ...
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NewsWheelchair accessible ETR1000 on show in Berlin
INNOTRANS: Hitachi Rail presented the latest version of its ETR1000 trainset for Trenitalia at the InnoTrans 2024 fair in Berlin. The manufacturer is supplying 30 more trainsets to the Italian state-owned operator under a €861m contract which includes a €287m option for a further 10. ...
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Rail Business UKRegulator tells Northern to improve help for disabled passengers
UK: The Office of Rail & Road has told Northern to submit a plan to improve the way it provides assistance to disabled passengers. The operator rated poorly in the regulator’s latest survey of passengers who pre-booked additional assistance, with 18% saying the help requested was ...
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NewsApp trial to help blind and low vision passengers navigate Boston stations
USA: The NaviLens smart phone navigation app for visually impaired people is being tested on Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s Boston commuter rail network. Users scan brightly coloured QR-style codes posted in the stations, and the app will then help them find the correct platform, provide real-time ...
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NewsMock-up aims to ensure Queensland trains are accessible to all
AUSTRALIA: A mock-up built by Allweld Manufacturing is being used to gather feedback from future users including train drivers, people with reduced mobility and cyclists to ensure that a future fleet of electric multiple-units will be accessible for all. In 2023 Downer beat CAF and Alstom ...
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Metro Report InternationalVirtual Reality for Inclusion initiative helps people to use public transport with confidence
BRAZIL: Virtual reality is being used to help people with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorder develop the skills to use public transport confidently and autonomously. The Virtual Reality for Inclusion initiative is hosted at the headquarters of the Jô Clemente Institute in the Vila Clementino ...
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Rail Business UKSign language translation to be tested at London Overground stations
UK: London Overground operating concessionaire Arriva Rail London is to test technology that translates digital passenger information into British Sign Language which can be accessed through a smart device via a personalised digital avatar. The Luna platform supplied by GoMedia uses translation technology from Signapse. Trials ...
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Rail Business UKPilot meet-and-greet service aims to help people use Derby station
UK: East Midlands Railway and software company WelcoMe have launched a six-month pilot of a meet-and-greet service offering customers at Derby station a bespoke appointment to better support them with accessibility needs or specific travelling requirements. Example use cases include: someone who does not require ...
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NewsLow floor coaches added to the GoldenPass Express
SWITZERLAND: Low-floor gauge-changing panoramic coaches have been added to enhance the accessibility of GoldenPass Express services between Montreux, Zweisimmen and Interlaken Ost.
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In depthRolling Stock: Independently accessible M7 coach unveiled
The first of SNCB’s multi-functional M7 push-pull coaches with a 760 mm entrance for level boarding has been presented at Alstom’s Brugge works. Dr Harry Hondius reports.
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Metro Report InternationalDocklands Light Railway travel assistance trial
UK: Transport for London and Docklands Light Railway operator KeolisAmey Docklands are trialling an Access DLR scheme which aims to make travel on the automated light metro more accessible. During the a six-month trial DLR passengers will be able to pre-book a time slot between 07.00 ...
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In depthInterview: ‘We focus on intermodality and resilience’
The Asian Development Bank is focusing on better integration of the many projects it supports, in order to drive intermodality. Meanwhile, any infrastructure ADB finances needs to be climate resilient, its Transport Director Markus Roesner explains to Benjámin Zelki at the bank’s headquarters in the Manila metropolitan area.