Northern is set to introduce British Sign Language (BSL) announcements across all its services after a successful trial.
Initially tested on trains between York, Leeds, and Manchester last year, these announcements aim to provide crucial information to customers with hearing impairments.
Developed by software experts, the technology features a sign language interpreter on the on-board screens, informing customers of the approaching stations. Following positive feedback from the trial, Northern plans to implement these announcements on all services by 2025.
Interpreters will be filmed signing each station, and AI editing software will use these clips to create video announcements for customers. Northern is also exploring long-term plans to include BSL announcements for cancellations, delays, and other incidents.
Matt Rice, chief operating officer, said:
“It’s fantastic to see these sign language announcements have been well received by our customers during the recent trial and we can now press ahead with rolling them out on all of our services.”
“We’re constantly working to make our services more accessible and give people with specific needs the confidence to travel by train.”
Census data from 2021 revealed that BSL is the main language for 22,000 people in the UK.
Northern is the second-largest train operator in the UK, running 2,500 services daily to over 500 stations across the North of England.
Image credit: Northern