A new app is being introduced in two London stations - East Croydon and London Blackfriars - to help blind and partially sighted people on their commute.
The app has been established by third party app Aira and launched by Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) to help improve accessibility on the region's rail network.
The app will enable blind and partially sighted people to connect with a remote advisor, who will use the passenger’s smartphone camera to guide them around the railway station to a staff member.
Currently the app is being trialled at four stations: Brighton, Stevenage, London Blackfriars, and East Croydon.
Passengers at these stations will be able to ask an advisor on their phone to assist them with tasks including reading departure boards, locating a platform, and finding staff and facilities.
GTR’s Accessibility Lead, Carl Martin, said: “We want everyone to have the confidence to travel with us, no matter what their disability or need for assistance, so we’re always on the lookout for innovative ways to improve.
“All our staff are trained to assist our customers, whatever their needs.
“We hope this app can improve the support we already offer blind and partially sighted customers to put them in control of their journeys.”
The roll out of the app is being supported by regional volunteers living with visual impairments from Sight Loss Council and is being funded by the charity Thomas Pocklington Trust.
One such volunteer is Amrit Dhaliwai from Hounslow, who is totally blind. She tested the app in its abilities to guide her to the ticket office and lift.
Amrit said: “It was absolutely amazing! For some this could be absolutely life changing, liberating.”
In a survey conducted by Thomas Pocklington Trust and Sight Loss Councils' Listening Month campaign, 65 percent of blind and partially sighted people who took part said that access to public transport was an area that mattered to them most.
As a result of these findings access to public transport is an area that will be focused on by the charity.
London Sight Loss Council member and volunteer Vidya Nathan, whose vision is extremely restricted, said: "It is so important to make transport accessible for our blind and partially sighted community as we are heavily reliant on public transport for our daily life and to access social and work opportunities.
“Making transport accessible enables us to be more confident, safe, active and independent."
On trialling the app at London Blackfriars on Monday (12 June), she added: “This could be life changing. It’s just that confidence boost knowing there’s someone on the end of the phone who won’t leave you until you are safe.
"They did get me where I wanted to go.
“They were patient and super helpful.
"It was very, very good.”
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