New app to guide blind and partially sighted passengers around stations is launched across GTR

A new app to help blind and partially sighted customers is being rolled out across more than 200 stations today. 

The Aira Explorer guidance app is being made available across the Govia Thameslink Railway network having been trialed at a dozen since March. 

Users can make a video call and be guided around the station by a trained advisor who looks through the customer’s smartphone camera. 

A total of 236 stations run by Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern and Thameslink are now covered by the app in a project run by the GTR in collaboration with Sight Loss Councils. 

TR 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 trialed 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.” 

The Aira Explorer app can be downloaded from the Apple Store or Google Play.