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Chiltern Railways launch British Sign Language interpretation service to improve accessibility for customers

Chiltern Railways has enhanced its interpretation services by announcing a partnership with British Sign Language company SignLive.

Customers travelling with Chiltern can now contact the rail operator via a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter from the SignLive app.

Using the app, customers can contact the Chiltern customer service team who are on hand to answer queries such as booking tickets, checking journey planners and booking passenger assistance.

The BSL interpreter will then relay queries back to Chiltern, simplifying the way the operator can be contacted and making travel more accessible for Deaf and Hard of Hearing customers.

Andy Camp, Commercial & Customer Strategy Director at Chiltern Railways, said:

“We are thrilled to have introduced this crucial service which will improve accessibility for Deaf and Hard of Hearing customers travelling with Chiltern.

“We are determined to provide an inclusive railway for everyone and improving communication between customers and Chiltern colleagues is a huge step in the right direction.”

Fiona Mackay, Chief Operating Officer of SignLive, said:

“We are delighted to partner with Chiltern Railways to provide British Sign Language interpreting services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing passengers.

“This collaboration is a significant step toward greater accessibility in public transportation. We believe that everyone should be able to travel with ease and now Deaf passengers can call Chiltern Railways when needed.”

Customers can also log in to SignLive and find out more about the service here.

Contact Information

Liam Bolland

07967 884343

liam.bolland@chilternrailways.co.uk

Notes to editors

  • Chiltern Railways is part of the Arriva group, one of the leading providers of passenger transport in Europe,  employing around 34,400 people and delivering around 1.6 billion passenger journeys across 11 countries. 
  • Chiltern operates commuter/regional rail passenger services from its Central London terminus at London Marylebone along the M40 corridor to destinations in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Warwickshire, as well as long-distance services to the West Midlands along two routes. Services on the Chiltern Main Line run from London Marylebone to Birmingham Snow Hill, Stratford-upon-Avon and Oxford, with some peak-hour services to Stourbridge Junction.
  • Chiltern also runs trains on the London to Aylesbury Line to Aylesbury (with some trains terminating at Aylesbury Vale Parkway instead), on the Princes Risborough to Aylesbury and Oxford to Bicester branch lines.