Get onboard with new initiative

The views of train passengers with hearing loss are being sought to help the development of a new app commissioned by the Department of Transport.

We know that travelling by train with any level of hearing loss can be a challenging experience. The new app aims to deliver real-time onboard announcements directly to the passenger’s smartphone as text during their train journey.

To help with the app’s development the developers, with the support of Hearing Link, are seeking feedback in two ways:

• complete a survey (for people with hearing loss)
• trial the app on a train (for anyone regardless of hearing levels)

The Survey

The survey is for anyone with hearing loss to tell the developer about your travel experiences whilst onboard the train.

Please take a few minutes to complete the survey – click here to start – to share your views.

The deadline for responses is Monday 13th September. All answers will be treated anonymously and only shared with the developer to assist with the development of the app.

The Trial

The app will be tested on selected routes on the Transport for Wales network in December 2021 and January 2022

This trial is open to anyone aged 18 and over, regardless of their hearing or hearing loss levels. During the trial you will be asked to test all the app’s features.

As part of this exercise, participants will also be required to provide feedback both before and after the onboard trial. The developer will pass the results of the testing on to the Department for Transport in February 2022.

Further details including dates and routes for the second part of this exercise will be confirmed in October.

If you would like to express an interest in taking part in this trial, please email enquiries@hearinglink.org with ‘Train App Trials’ as subject.