W
hen it comes to railway travel, maintaining optimal comfortability is the key to every successful journey.
In the past, crowded stations and low platforms made some potential passengers leery of train travel. Now, many train lines have improved their service to make boarding, exiting, and even ticket buying easy for those who are mobility impaired. Train accessibility has already come far and will only improve in the future.
Online Ticketing
Online ticketing makes a train trip easier for everyone, but particularly for the disabled. They can purchase their ticket from home and often arrange for any additional help that they will need at the station. They do not have to wait in a crowded line for their ticket, allowing them to proceed directly to the boarding area. They are less likely to be inadvertently pushed or overlooked at the station. They need to be certain that their needs will be met, so modern train companies are determined to improve their service.
Passengers’ Commodities
One of the main ways passengers can remain comfortable when traveling on the railways is by using the various commodities and amenities which are included on board.
Many train stations use automation to make train travel easier. Wide automatic doors provide ease of access for people with limited mobility and improve general passenger flow. Boarding should not be difficult or frightening for anyone, particularly the disabled.
The company also provides accessible bathrooms and other services for the disabled in order to make their travel safe and comfortable.
Easy Mobility
The spacious nature of trains also makes for easier mobility. Compared with bus and other methods of travel, trains are one of the most spacious methods of travel and allow passengers to take walks through the various other cars.
Many train companies, including Germany ICE trains, provide special cars to accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility aids. Passengers can sit in their non-collapsible chairs during the ride, eliminating the need to transfer to a seat.
Staff
In some cases, disabled passengers will need assistance boarding or disembarking from the train. Staff members are available to assist disabled passengers at most train stations. Amtrak allows its passengers to request this assistance online and will provide a uniformed staff member to provide this help. The mobility impaired do need to give the station staff prior notice to avoid experiencing delays.
Security
Lastly, there are multiple security measures in place to ensure everyone’s safety. In addition to the staff on board who are trained to enforce seating assignments and get rid of unruly passengers, there is also typically a team on standby ready to respond in the event that anything dangerous occurs.
Overall, there are a number of ways in which those with mobility issues can ensure they are comfortable when they travel via railway.
These steps require financial investment on the part of rail management, but it pays off in passenger satisfaction. Trains should court disabled riders with these measures as they prove to be reliable customers.
