Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) is extending the free use of a groundbreaking smartphone app, designed to enhance accessibility for blind and partially sighted passengers, to all 236 of its Great Northern, Southern, and Thameslink-managed stations.
Starting on 17 October, in collaboration with Sight Loss Councils, GTR will offer free access to the innovative Aira Explorer guidance app across all of its 11 county network – which is almost the size of Belgium. This initiative is a major step towards creating an inclusive travel experience, empowering all passengers to navigate the rail system with confidence.
The Aira Explorer app allows blind and partially sighted customers to place a video call with a trained advisor who looks through the customer’s smartphone camera to guide them around the station on speakerphone, simplifying the journey.
Up until now, the app has been available to use at only 12 stations as part of a trial spearheaded by blind and partially sighted volunteers from the regions Sight Loss Councils and national charity Thomas Pocklington Trust, which funds them.
GTR Accessibility Lead Carl Martin said: “We want everyone to be able to use our services, regardless of their disability or need for assistance.
“This app helps blind and partially sighted people travel independently, whether that’s to locate a member of staff for assistance when they first arrive at the station or to simply find the ticket office or grab a coffee.
“Having successfully trialled this, we’re now making it freely available to use at all our managed stations. We’re really grateful to Sight Loss Councils and Thomas Pocklington Trust for helping us introduce this.”
Dave Smith, Sight Loss Council Engagement Manager for Thomas Pocklington Trust, added: “It’s great that GTR have made the decision to roll out Aira Explorer at all their stations. It is important that everyone has access to travel on the train network and this includes blind and partially sighted people.
“Having Aira Explorer available could be enough to give someone the confidence to take the train knowing that they can arrive at a station and use Aira to support them through the station and to a member of staff.
“Furthermore, the app can be used to navigate someone to a coffee or retail shop, the toilet or out to the bus stop for an onward journey thus making the whole experience more equal to sighted passengers”.
Passengers are urged to download Aira Explorer from the Apple Store or Google Play on their mobile device.
Image credit: GTR
