New railway scheme to help vulnerable passengers

A new scheme from Southern Railways offers three new types of support for passengers with learning difficulties.

The first, which is also for people whose first language is not English and passengers who often find communicating difficult, is an easy to read accessibility guide.

It gives information in easy to read information and pictures, on travelling with a wheelchair or mobility scooter, station and train accessibility, access on board trains and using Southern’s ‘Priority Seat Card’.

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The second is a ‘Travel Support Card’, which is pocket sized and has details of the holder’s name, home station, where they travel to and from, contact numbers and a section stating how train staff can help them. This will allow passengers to travel more independently with confidence.

The third is an A4 sized pictorial card where passengers can point to a picture to indicate to a member of Southern staff what they need help with.

Graham Tyler, West Sussex County Council Deputy Cabinet Member for Adults’ Services, said: “Some of our adults with learning difficulties worked with Southern Railway in the development of this scheme, advising what would be helpful to them when travelling on public transport.

“These forms of support will enable vulnerable adults to travel independently with confidence.”

All three types of assistance are available to download from www.southernrailway.com/accessibility or by calling 08451 272920.