Scotland’s Railway has taken another step forward in its commitment to making rail services accessible for all, with the installation of new British Sign Language (BSL) totems at four major stations across the country.
The totems – which provide real-time travel information in BSL – have been installed at Glasgow Queen Street, Edinburgh Waverley, Haymarket, and Dundee stations.
By using a virtual interpreter to translate key travel updates and station announcements into BSL, the innovative digital displays ensure that Deaf BSL users can access the same information as hearing passengers.
The totems also include touchscreen functionality, allowing users to request specific information in their preferred language.
The initiative is part of ScotRail’s and Network Rail’s ongoing work to make the railway more inclusive and easier to use for everyone, regardless of their needs or abilities.
Installation of the totems follow work by Network Rail to introduce BSL customer information screens at Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Central last year, making them the first stations in the UK to have BSL on the main departure boards.
Phil Campbell, ScotRail’s customer operations director, said: “We’re proud to be improving the customer experience for Deaf BSL users with the rollout of these new totems.
“Everyone should be able to access clear and timely travel information, and this is an important step in making our stations more inclusive and welcoming for all.
“We’re committed to ensuring that Scotland’s Railway works for everyone, and this initiative is part of our wider efforts to improve accessibility across our network.”
Graham Smith, Network Rail regional telecoms asset and performance manager, said: “This is about empowering people to travel with confidence and independence. The boards mean BSL users can access the same essential information as other passengers, making train journeys more inclusive for everyone.
“At Scotland’s Railway, we’re committed to putting passengers first by improving stations and services. Accessibility is a key priority, and these additions are an excellent example of Network Rail and ScotRail collaborating for the benefit of passengers.”
Image credit: iStockphoto.com/Denis Kabanov
