Rail accessibility and inclusion news – Page 3
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Rail Business UKHS2 achieves Inclusive Environments Recognition
UK: High speed line project promoter HS2 Ltd says it is the first infrastructure company to be awarded Inclusive Environments Recognition certification at organisational level by the Construction Industry Council. HS2 Ltd has held focus groups, virtual reality simulations and live testing sessions with charitable organisations, ...
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Metro Report InternationalLondon Underground stations to be added to Google Street View
UK: Major London Underground stations are to be included in Google’s Street View in 2024, to help people get a better sense of the layout of the stations when planning journeys or interchanging between different lines, and to identify facilities such as toilets and help points. ...
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Rail Business UKTicket office closure proposals scrapped after passenger watchdogs object
UK: The government has asked train operators to withdraw proposals to close most station ticket offices in England, after watchdog bodies Transport Focus and London TravelWatch formally objected. Announcing the decision on October 31, Transport Secretary Mark Harper said the government would ‘continue our work to ...
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Rail Business UKAccessibility focus for station virtual tour
UK: The Virtual Tour Experts has worked with Greater Anglia and Network Rail to create an online representation of London Liverpool Street station, which Managing Director Neil Henderson says is the first to incorporate an accessibility widget, guided tours and subtitled scene guides. ‘The user-first attitude ...
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Rail Business UKNorthern to trial British Sign Language announcements
UK: Train operator Northern is looking for charities, organisations or specialists who could help it to provide British Sign Language interpretation of its onboard announcements. A trial is planned on services between Manchester Victoria and Leeds by the end of the year. ‘We know that rail ...
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Rail Business UKLNER has improved access for disabled passengers, says equalities watchdog
UK: The Equality & Human Rights Commission says LNER has taken steps to improve access for disabled passengers, following a legal challenge from a visually impaired customer who received inadequate support and assistance while travelling. EHRC and LNER entered into an Equality Act 2010 Section 23 ...
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NewsMore inclusive facilities for train drivers
AUSTRALIA: Enhancements to provide more inclusive facilities for train drivers at Melbourne’s Flinders Street station have been completed. This includes the creation of all-gender locker rooms with private changing rooms, and a maternity room with private areas for expressing and spaces to rest. Other upgrades include new ...
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Rail Business UKVirtual train tour to help passengers ahead of travel
UK: Open access operator Lumo has worked with Ocean 3D to develop an interactive 360° walk-through tour of its trains to assist people who may be anxious ahead of entering unfamiliar environments.
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Rail Business UKMaternity, medical and hijab options in Network Rail PPE contract
UK: An inclusive range of PPE products is to be offered by Direct Corporate Clothing, which has announced a ‘breakthrough’ contract to supply Network Rail. The renewable four-year contract, secured after an extensive tendering and trialling process, includes waterproof foul-weather garments, flame-retardant and arc-protection clothing, high-visibility ...
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Rail Business UKTactile maps to help TPE passengers navigate stations
UK: TransPennine Express has installed Map for All tactile maps developed and produced by the Royal National Institute of Blind People to help blind and partially sighted passengers navigate Hull Paragon, Dewsbury and Manchester Airport stations. The maps have a mixture of layers, visual contrasts, textures, ...
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NewsAmtrak achieves top score in Disability Equality Index
USA: National passenger train operator Amtrak has scored 100 out of 100 on the Disability Equality Index for the second year running. The DEI was launched in 2015 by Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities to help businesses make a positive impact on ...
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Rail Business UKReport makes recommendations for accessible and inclusive rail travel
UK: Community Rail Network has published recommendations on how the community rail movement can expand its impact on accessibility and inclusion. The report sponsored by the Rail Delivery Group gives examples of projects, and says impact is maximised by enabling people with lived experience to shape ...
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Rail Business UKStoma Friendly improvements at Southeastern station toilets
UK: Southeastern has upgraded the accessible toilets at 71 stations to Colostomy UK’s Stoma Friendly standards, which are designed to help people change their stoma bags without hassle or embarrassment. Features include a hook on the door to hang clothing, handbags and luggage; shelf space to ...
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Metro Report InternationalYarra Trams deploys navigation technology for visually impaired passengers
AUSTRALIA: The NaviLens mobile app and codes are being rolled out to assist blind and low-vision passengers to travel independently on Melbourne’s Yarra Trams network. The codes, which look like brightly coloured QR patterns, are initially being installed at every stop on Route 96 as well ...
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Rail Business UKVirtual station tours to help passengers plan ahead
UK: East Midlands Railway has worked with Virtual Tour Experts Ltd to create online navigation guidance to help passengers with journeys through Derby, Sheffield, Nottingham, Lincoln and Kettering stations. Users can access information about all of the public areas in each station, including toilets, customer service ...
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Rail Business UKModelling tool to optimise DMU fuel consumption
UK: A modelling tool is being developed to help Northern Trains optimise speeds and braking patterns to minimise the fuel consumed by its fleet of 276 diesel multiple-units. The tool will use the specific topography of Northern’s routes, combined with real consumption data. It is being ...
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Rail Business UKDisabled passengers need more reliable assistance, regulator says
UK: More reliable and consistent assistance needs to be provided for disabled passengers, the Office of Rail & Road said when it published its 2023 annual rail consumer report. ORR found that when passengers receive assistance there is high satisfaction, up from 86% to 90% year-on-year, ...
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Metro Report InternationalDocklands Light Railway tests navigation app for visually impaired passengers
UK: The NaviLens app designed to assist blind or partially sighted travellers is to be tested at the Docklands Light Railway’s Cutty Sark, Canary Wharf, Woolwich Arsenal and Tower Gateway stations. Users scan a smart code at the station, and the app’s voice assistant then provides ...
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Metro Report InternationalEasy to use app for more inclusive route planning
GERMANY: Berlin-Brandenburg transport authority VBB has launched VBB Easy, a route planning app designed for ease of use by people with cognitive impairments or mobility limitations, or anyone who prefers a particularly simple app. Developed by Siemens Mobility company Hacon, VBB Easy is designed to have ...
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Rail Business UKRail industry making progress with disability awareness refresher training
UK: Train operators and Network Rail are making progress with disability awareness refresher training, according to a review undertaken by the Office of Rail & Road. ORR requires operators to deliver refresher training on disability and equality every two years, and specifies the competencies that staff ...