Scotland’s Railway has unveiled a major accessibility boost with the arrival of British Sign Language totems at four of the nation’s busiest stations.
The new technology has been switched on at Glasgow Queen Street, Edinburgh Waverley, Haymarket and Dundee.
Each totem displays real-time travel updates through a virtual interpreter using British Sign Language.
This means Deaf BSL users now have access to the same essential journey information as hearing passengers.
The screens also include a touchscreen feature so users can request specific updates in their own preferred language.
It’s a move aimed at improving confidence and independence for BSL users navigating the rail network.
ScotRail and Network Rail are behind the initiative as part of a wider push to make rail travel more inclusive.
The totems follow on from earlier upgrades at Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Central where BSL now features on the main departure boards.
Those were the first two stations in the UK to roll out BSL support in this way.
Phil Campbell, Customer Operations Director at ScotRail, said the new totems show progress in improving services for Deaf passengers.
He said clear, timely travel information should be available to everyone, no matter their needs.
The project is one piece of a broader programme to make rail travel easier and fairer across the board.
Graham Smith from Network Rail added that the technology helps passengers travel with confidence.
He believes empowering BSL users with the same information as everyone else is a major step forward.
He praised the collaboration between Network Rail and ScotRail as a model for inclusive public transport.
Accessibility, he said, is no longer a bonus but a core priority for the future of Scotland’s Railway.
More upgrades are expected as the network continues to evolve to meet diverse passenger needs.
These totems may look like just another screen but for many, they represent equal access and independence.
The railway of tomorrow is being built today and it is one where no one is left behind.
