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Wednesday 28 Jul 2021

New assisted travel lounge opens at Reading station

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Passengers with disabilities and reduced mobility who require assistance can now benefit from a new travel lounge at Reading station, which aims to provide a safe, calm and pleasant space while waiting for their train.

The new lounge opened on Tuesday 29 June and offers passengers with reduced mobility seating at higher levels, accessible interactive information screens and phone and electronic device charging facilities.

The lounge is being operated by GWR who have a customer ambassador on hand to help any passengers requiring assistance. Initially, it will be open seven days a week between the hours of 10am to 6pm.

Bernadette Sachse, Network Rail stations transformation insight lead, said: “It’s key for Network Rail to put passengers first by providing first-class service to them.

“Travelling through a busy railway station can be unnerving for those with additional needs but the new assisted travel lounge can provide a safe and friendly space to wait for trains and onward connections and get help from a dedicated team when needed.”

Neil Craig, GWR's mobility and inclusion manager, said: “Previously over 160,000 people a year successfully used our assisted travel service, but we are always looking at how we can improve on what we offer, and reduce barriers for those with disabilities to travel by train.

“We hope this new waiting area will allow even more people to take advantage of our train services and will be monitoring its success closely.”