The train operator has been working with software experts InfoTec and Signapse on the scheme, which ‘knits together’ individual words signed by a BSL interpreter and displays the complete sentences on customer information screens onboard. Census data in 2021 showed that in addition to spoken languages, BSL was the main language of 22,000 people. Currently, the announcements will only be operating on some of Northern’s fleet between Leeds to York Via Harrogate and Leeds to Man Victoria via Rochdale. To begin with they will focus on station names, however Northern hopes to expand the scheme after customer feedback. Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.

Source: The Times February 18, 2024 17:47 UTC