Launch of 3D maps to help disabled travellers

A train company has launched 3D maps to allow disabled passengers to travel with “more independence”.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), which operates Thameslink, Great Northern, Southern and Gatwick Express, said the maps will allow people to gain more confidence in navigating some key stations on its network.

Passengers will be able to plan their journeys through the stations operated by GTR using the 3D maps on their mobile phones and computers.

The scheme, which is being trialled at 10 stations, aims to make it easier for disabled passengers to identify staircases, lifts, and ticket gates on bespoke aerial maps of stations.

GTR said that bird’s-eye-view maps exist of every station that they manage but they had received feedback saying that some could be improved, as they were not to scale and sometimes difficult to navigate at a glance.

The new diagrams show colour-coded accessible routes, steps, and display the various levels to a station.

They can be accessed through National Rail Enquiries, or on the websites of all GTR’s train brands.

The 10 stations in the trial are: Brighton, City Thameslink, Denmark Hill, East Croydon, Elephant & Castle, Finsbury Park, Gatwick Airport, London Blackfriars, Luton Airport Parkway and Peckham Rye.

Carl Martin, GTR’s accessibility lead, said: “We’re really pleased to introduce these new maps as part of our commitment to create a more inclusive and accessible railway.

“Together with other helpful guides on the assisted travel pages of our websites, they’ll help people plan a smooth and stress-free journey.”

GTR added if the trial is a success there is an opportunity for more stations to be added to the scheme.