Assisted Boarding Points are now available at all South Western Railway (SWR) stations across London.
The boarding points allow customers to call for assistance so that it is available when their train arrives.
Customers need to give just 10 minutes notice before they travel. Boarding points are located on station platforms and clearly signed.
A QR code is provided for customers to scan and instantly message the dedicated team via WhatsApp with details of their journey, or by phoning the customer service team.
A text message will then be sent to the guard on the next available service, who will provide the appropriate assistance when the train arrives.
Customers will need to provide details of their departure and destination stations, and the type of assistance they require, such as a wheelchair ramp, support getting onto the train due to a visual impairment, reduced mobility, help with luggage, or an injury. The guard on the train will then be ready to help when the train arrives.
The boarding points provide a dedicated place for both customers and guards to know exactly where to meet. Their locations are shown on SWR's station information maps.
Christian Neill, Customer Experience Director at South Western Railway, commented: “We're really pleased that our industry first assistance service is now available at our London stations, completing coverage of the SWR network. It makes it possible for all of our customers who require assistance to travel with minimum fuss or difficulty, wherever they are on our network.
“This is just one way in which we're boosting the accessibility of our network and helping all of our customers to travel with confidence”.
Alan Benson, Chair of Transport for All, said: “Getting help on and off the train is vital for disabled people travelling, and this is the most common source of problems. Anything that makes this easier has to be welcomed. This initiative by SWR puts disabled travellers in control of their own journeys and will give them the confidence that is too often missing.”
More information on Assisted Boarding Points can be found here: Assisted Boarding Points
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