Extra help for passengers with disabilities introduced at Honiton railway station

People with sight or mobility problems can now get help boarding trains at Honiton station and others on the South Western Railway network.

A system's been introduced enabling them to contact a customer service team who will alert the guard on the train they're catching.

When the train arrives at the station, the guard will be ready to help them board, providing a wheelchair ramp if necessary.

Passengers can use this service just 10 minutes before they travel.

How does Assisted Boarding work?

The Assisted Boarding Point will be clearly signposted at the station, and when they reach it, passengers will be able to choose between calling a dedicated phone number or scanning a QR code to initiate a WhatsApp conversation with customer services.

Passengers will need to tell customer services where they're travelling from, which train they're catching, and the kind of help they'll need from the guard.

All the details will be relayed to the guard so that he or she is fully ready to assist with boarding when the train arrives.

Which stations have this service?

Assisted Boarding is due to be up and running at all the stations on the South Western Railway route between Exeter Pinhoe and Woking by Sunday, August 15. It's due to be in place throughout the South Western Railway network by October 17. The company hasn't given specific details of whether it's already open at Honiton Station.

Christian Neill, Deputy Customer Experience Director at South Western Railway, said: "We know that not every journey is planned in advance, and indeed they shouldn't have to be.

"We're proud to be launching this industry-first service, which will make it markedly easier for our customers who require assistance to travel with minimum fuss or difficulty.

"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".

Service welcomed by accessible transport campaign group

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."

Anthony Smith, Chief Executive of Transport Focus said:

"We know from our research that elderly and disabled passengers don't always receive the help they need when travelling by rail. This new boarding service will enable people to request assistance more easily, without the need to pre-book."

For more information on assisted boarding points, click here.