Mobile phone app offers help for disabled users

Many disabled passengers rely on staff to help them board or leave trains. They can book help, but today’s systems are clunky, hard to use and don’t respond well to changes such as a missed train.

To counter this, the Rail Delivery Group has been developing a mobile phone app that allows passengers to book and change requests more easily. It keeps staff up-todate, and moves away from a system whereby they are simply given a printed list of requests each morning.

The app been tested on Greater Anglia, West Midlands Trains, London North Western and South Western Railway and, according to RDG, has been welcomed. It’s been developed by Transreport in conjunction with several charities, including Blind Veterans UK, Disability Rights UK and Anxiety UK.

It sounds like a good step forward and I look forward to hearing more of how it’s helping more people use trains - whether for business, leisure or commuting.

In promoting it, RDG cited comments from wheelchair user Sarah Ward, from Shrewsbury, who said: “For me, the current system of booking assistance in advance is really frustrating. While staff are generally really helpful, it’s not very flexible, and it often feels like I have to fit into the system, rather than the system working for me.

“With the app, I’ve found everything so much easier. It’s great being able to do things, on the spot, literally at the touch of a button.

“I think that the app provides a really positive step in opening up rail travel to disabled people. It has enabled me to be much more flexible with my travel plans, and it’s given me much more confidence in making journeys.”