Govia Thameslink Railway has announced that its Aira app will be available in Chichester, Haywards Heath and Eastbourne.
A train operator has extended an app that helps visually impaired people navigate train stations to three more stations in Sussex.
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has announced that its Aira app is now available in Chichester, Haywards Heath and Eastbourne.
It works by allowing blind and low-vision customers to video call with a trained advisor who guides them around the station on speakerphone through the customer's smartphone camera.
One blind rail user, Paul Goddard from Chichester, described his first time using the app as “absolutely amazing”.
There is someone on the other end of the phone to give you directions.
Plus, it lets people know if they need to push or pull the door.
GTR says it is working with blind charities and advocacy groups on this project.
Dave Smith, Engagement Manager at Sight Loss Council, said: “I love being able to connect with someone in real time by just connecting.
“They can tell me if there are any obstacles in my way or if I'm not going in the right direction, so that just gives me peace of mind.”
Mark Pavlides, GTR's chief customer officer, says he hopes the app will give blind people confidence.
Mark Pavlides, chief customer officer at GTR, said: “We have approximately 8,000 customers in the Sussex region who are blind or have low vision.
“Many of them will be able to gain confidence going through stations like Chichester.”
The app was already in use at Brighton, East Croydon, London Blackfriars and Stevenage stations.
As well as the three new Sussex stations, it is now available at Finsbury Park, Brent Cross West, Luton Airport Parkway, Bedford and Sutton.
