West Midlands Railway reaffirms support for neurodiverse passengers

West Midlands Railway (WMR) is raising awareness of support options for neurodiverse passengers as part of Neurodiversity Celebration Week (16 – 20 March).

Following the positive reception of WMR’s sensory packs which launched last summer, the train operator is restocking stations with the free bags. Available on request from ticket offices, each pack contains foam ear plugs, sunglasses, fidget toys and a stress ball to support neurodiverse customers in managing sensory overload while travelling.

Journey planner notepads are also being rolled out to stations across WMR’s network following a successful trial earlier this year. Recognising that some passengers prefer information to be written down on paper, ticket office staff can use the notepads to write down journey plans. Each page features useful information such as how to book passenger assistance, customer relations contact details and social media handles.

For customers who need support communicating, Travel Assistance Cards are free to request from stations or order from WMR’s website. The cards are available in a range of different phrases, such as “I need help buying a ticket” and “Please be patient, I have a disability.”

Javeriah Abbas, passenger assistance delivery manager at WMR, said: “Making the railway accessible for everyone is a key priority for us. We recognise that railway stations can be a difficult environment for neurodiverse passengers, so this Neurodiversity Celebration Week, we want to raise awareness of the options available to help manage sensory overload and support communication. Our colleagues receive accessibility training, so passengers can feel confident asking staff for support while travelling with us.”

For more information about accessible travel, visit: https://www.westmidlandsrailwa...