West Midlands Railway is reassuring customers who require assistance when travelling that help is still available on the rail network despite the impact of coronavirus.
The operator has released a series of informative videos detailing the steps railway staff are taking to help passengers with support needs travel on trains and through stations.
The videos explain how staff are wearing protective equipment and maintaining arm contact with visually-impaired passengers while keeping as much physical distance as possible. A thorough wheelchair cleaning regime has also been introduced at stations.
Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director, said: “In this new era of travel it is vitally important we make sure passengers who need extra help when travelling are not left behind.
“We have made great strides in recent years in improving accessibility on the railway network and we are determined to continue that good work while we adjust to social distancing requirements.
“I would encourage passengers to use our website or phone line to book free assistance in advance wherever possible to help us provide the best possible service.”
Last year West Midlands Railway and sister company London Northwestern Railway carried out almost 50,000 acts of passenger assistance between them across the network.
The operators are also reminding passengers that it is compulsory to wear a face covering on board trains. Exemptions apply – see www.wmr.uk/facecoverings for more details.
To book assistance, passengers should visit www.wmr.uk/assistance or call 0800 024 8998.
