Surrey County Council has expanded the Aira Explorer app trial to support more blind and partially sighted Surrey residents to travel independently and sustainably across the county.
Reportedly, the app allows customers to place a video call with a trained visual interpreter on speakerphone, who looks through the person’s smartphone camera to guide them between the bus stop and nearby rail stations.
The visual interpreters can also help read the timetable for them or explain the way into town.
The expansion will offer support to residents wanting to travel by bus to or from the following rail stations; Caterham, Dorking, Oxted, Leatherhead, Epsom Station and Clocktower, Reigate and Horley.
This is in addition to the service already being offered at bus stations in Guildford, Staines, Redhill and Woking.
All app usage at these locations will be free of charge, provided by Surrey County Council using some of its allocation from the Government’s Bus Service Improvement Fund.
CEO, Sensory Services by Sight for Surrey, Clare Burgess, said, “Making travel more accessible for people in Surrey with a vision impairment and for those who have combined sight and hearing loss is great news and I am delighted that Surrey County Council is expanding this trial to cover more locations free of charge.
“Traveling alone when you have a sensory impairment can be a daunting prospect, but having the Aira Explorer App at your fingertips makes independent travel so much easier and less stressful.”
Achievements and innovations in accessibility & inclusivity will be recognised and celebrated at the fourth annual CiTTi Awards on 25 November 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector!
