Train operator First Great Western and Devon County Council have launched an initiative to make travelling by train easier for people with communication difficulties.
The Devon Access Wallet, which is already operating on Stagecoach and First buses in the county, has been designed to help people with communication difficulties and those whose first language is not English.
The wallet has been designed with a fluorescent orange cover to let First Great Western staff know that people carrying it may need help with their journey. For example, people may have difficulty communicating in order to gain information on trains and at stations. The customer can choose to have their travel information in written or pictorial format inside the wallet in order to communicate with First Great Western staff.
The scheme, which has been developed by Devon County Council and adopted by First Great Western with input from community group SPOT (Speaking Out in Torbay) and members of the Service Users Regional Forum (SURF), is based on a similar scheme in Warrington.
Representatives from SPOT and SURF travelled on a First Great Western service from Exeter St Davids to Exmouth to try the wallet out for themselves. John Goldsworthy, Chairperson of SPOT, said: “I think that the orange wallets are really good. It’s really important that people with a learning disability are helped to get around using public transport. It will help people to be more confident now when travelling by train.”
Polly Robertson, First Great Western’s Mobility and Inclusion Manager, said: “We’re always looking for ways that we can improve on customer service and are pleased that we can work with Devon County Council to offer this scheme. It is something that is very easy for our staff to implement but will make a big difference to the people who carry the wallets. We will be looking for opportunities to introduce it in other areas within the First Great Western franchise.”
Councillor Margaret Rogers, Devon County Council’s Executive Member for Environment, said: “Most of us take using public transport for granted but if you have communication difficulties or are not very mobile, it can be a very stressful and isolating experience. There has already been a good uptake of the scheme since we introduced it on buses last year when it was very well received by those who took part in the launch at Bicton Gardens and now that it is available on trains, I’m sure that it will become even more popular.”
The Devon Access Wallet is available by contacting Devon County Council on 01392 383509 or email accesswallet@devon.gov.uk
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