The UK’s largest train operator is offering free use of an innovative sign language app to remove barriers for passengers who are deaf or suffer hearing loss – and help them travel with confidence across its 11-county network.
Customers will be able to use the SignLive app at all 236 of its managed stations, on board trains and with its call centres to communicate with Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) staff using a trained British Sign Language interpreter on their smartphone screen.
The train company, which runs Thameslink, Great Northern, Southern and Gatwick Express services, has partnered up with SignLive to further improve support for passengers with accessibility needs.
Anyone with the app downloaded to their phone will be able to select their chosen train brand to be connected with an interpreter free of charge. GTR is covering the cost of using the SignLive app but data charges may apply depending on the customer’s mobile phone data plan
Vincent Duffy, GTR’s Accessibility Improvement Manager, said:
“We are dedicated to encouraging as many people as possible to use our railway regardless of their access needs, by removing potential barriers.”
“SignLive will help our BSL-using customers who may otherwise be discouraged from using the railway, to travel on our trains with confidence.”
Customers just need to tap the brand of their chosen train operator in the app to be connected to an interpreter, who can translate conversations with staff both on stations, trains and in its contact centres. GTR will cover the cost of using the service.
The agent can be contacted for all customer support queries, like general information enquiries, providing feedback or booking assistance.
It comes less than two months after GTR rolled out the free use of the AIRA smartphone app for blind and partially sighted customers at all its managed stations.
AIRA enables passengers with sight loss to navigate railway stations and trains through the assistance of an agent using the camera on their mobile device.
Image credit: Govia Thameslink Railway
