Rail accessibility and inclusion news – Page 5
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Metro Report InternationalMBTA introduces online applications for reduced fare cards
USA: People with disabilities, including low vision, can now apply online rather than in person for smart cards providing free or reduced fares on Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority services around Boston. The process is available in English, Chinese, Spanish and Portuguese, and is accessible to screen ...
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Rail Business UKRail industry plans for Queen’s state funeral crowds
UK: The rail industry has activated its plans to handle the crowds expected at ceremonial events associated with the state funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II, and is advising people to check journey details before travelling. Network Rail said transport providers have well-developed plans in ...
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Rail Business UKPutting accessibility at the core of rail reform
UK: The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee has welcomed some proposed changes and makes a number of suggestions to improve accessibility strategy in its response to the government’s consultation on legislation to implement the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail Reform. DPTAC acts as a statutory advisory body ...
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Rail Business UKStation navigation app for visually impaired passengers on test
UK: South Western Railway is trialling the myEyes app, which provides audio directions to help guide people with sight loss from a station entrance to assisted boarding points on platforms where they can get help to board the train. The myEyes app was developed by iKi ...
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Rail Business UKRail staff trained to intervene with vulnerable passengers
UK: The Railway Children charity is training Northern’s conductors, customer service and station staff to spot vulnerable people on the railway and to have the confidence to intervene with help. The work focuses on identifying individuals at risk of to abuse, addiction and intimidation, and helping ...
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Metro Report InternationalAll Stations Accessibility Programme launched
USA: The Federal Transit Administration has announced the All Stations Accessibility Programme, which will provide $1·75bn of grants to improve access to rail transport for people with limited mobility.
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Metro Report InternationalTactile paving now at all Tyne & Wear Metro stations
UK: Tyne & Wear Metro has installed tactile paving at a further 12 stations, meaning all 60 of its stations now have a visual and physical alert to the presence of the platform edges.
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NewsWheelchair lift enhances ICE accessibility
GERMANY: Palfinger has developed a novel design of wheelchair lift for use on DB Fernverkehr’s next fleet of ICE high speed trainsets. The Trainlift TRV 2 SLIM is deployed at a 920 mm wide accessible entry point for use by passengers with reduced mobility. The TSI ...
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Rail Business UKPersonalised announcements support passengers with hearing loss
UK: Transport for Wales has tested Hearing Enhanced Audio Relay, which provides personalised announcements for passengers with hearing loss by using on-train wi-fi to send audible and readable journey announcements to smart devices.
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Metro Report InternationalDisability consultancy undertakes Lyon accessibility audit
FRANCE: Accessibility consultancy Direct Access has expanded its rail work into France through a pilot project with Keolis to audit rail, metro, tram and bus interchanges in Lyon. The consultancy is assessing entrances, wayfinding and arrival and boarding points, and will submit detailed recommendations for improvements ...
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Rail Business UKAssisted travel booking time shortened but accessibility works have some way to go
UK: The time to required to book Passenger Assist services such as help with navigating a station or boarding a train has been reduced from 6 h to a minimum standard of 2 h ahead of travel. However, campaigners have expressed concern at the slow pace ...
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Rail Business UKApp assists visually impaired passengers through the full rail journey
UK: London Overground operator Arriva Rail London has funded a trial of an audio navigation app from Waymap which is designed to help people with visual impairments travel more independently. The app has previously been tested at Birmingham International and stations in Los Angeles and Washington ...
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Rail Business UKGTR undertakes station accessibility improvements
UK: Govia Thameslink Railway has completed a £600 000 programme of small station improvements to make the Southern, Thameslink and Great Northern networks more accessible. The works included installing improved customer information points at Three Bridges and Caterham stations, with wide, automated doors, and counters set ...
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Rail Business UKGreat Anglia launches virtual tour of Norwich station
UK: Greater Anglia and Virtual Tour Experts have created an online interactive virtual tour of Norwich station to help people with reduced mobility check how accessible their journey would be. The virtual tour consists of a series of 360° photographs linked by clickable markers, with a ...
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Metro Report InternationalSliding steps to improve Tyne & Wear Metro accessibility
UK: Tyne & Wear Metro has unveiled the first of the automatic sliding steps that will close the gap between its new Stadler trainsets and platform edges to improve accessibility.
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Rail Business UKAudio description devices installed in station toilets
UK: ‘Talking toilet’ devices which provide visually impaired users with bespoke audio descriptions of the facilities are being installed in the accessible toilets at 44 stations served by Northern.
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Rail Business UKDisabled Persons Passenger Charter under development
UK: The government is working with charity Scope to develop a Disabled Persons Passenger Charter covering trains, buses, coaches, taxis and private hire vehicles in England. This will bring together a range of information to provide people with a clear explanation of their rights and advice ...
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Rail Business UKAutism-friendly guide to travelling by train
UK: Network Rail has worked with the National Autistic Society to produce an online guide help autistic people travel by train independently and with confidence. The guide shows the sights and sounds passengers could experience during every stage of a journey, from purchasing tickets, to getting ...
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Rail Business UKTransPennine Express unveils accessibility initiatives
UK: TransPennine Express has introduced the GoodMaps app, which guides blind and other users around stations to help them find features such as platforms, toilets, ticket offices and coffee shops. The app uses LIDAR and image recognition data, and does not require ...
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Rail Business UKNetwork Rail aims to increase the number of disabled people it employs
UK: Network Rail is aiming to increase the number of disabled people it employs, after figures showed that less than 3% of its 44 000 staff have declared a disability or long-term health condition. ‘Around 20% of the population is disabled, and yet less than 3% ...