TransPennine Express staff learn sign language to support hearing-impaired passengers
Dozens of TransPennine Express staff are learning sign language to help make rail journeys easier and more inclusive for hearing-impaired customers.
More than 70 colleagues at the train operator, including conductors and customer-facing teams, have so far completed a basic British Sign Language course.
The training covers everyday phrases such as greetings, numbers and common customer service interactions, alongside railway-specific terms relating to tickets, platforms and delays.
The voluntary programme, run by Deafero5, also includes an introduction to deaf awareness, helping staff better understand the needs of passengers and how to support them throughout their journey.
According to the Royal National Institute for Deaf People, one in three adults in the UK are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. It is also estimated that 25,000 people use sign language as their main language across the UK.
Andrew McClements, Customer Experience and Transformation Director at TransPennine Express, said: “We’re proud of the enthusiasm our colleagues have shown in taking part in this training.
“We’re hoping it will help break down barriers and make rail travel more inclusive for everyone who uses our services.”
The course has proved popular among colleagues, with more than 90 additional spaces available for staff to take part in the coming months.
TransPennine Express has previously introduced a number of initiatives designed to improve accessibility across its network, including technology to support hearing-impaired passengers and tools to help customers navigate stations more confidently.
A cutting-edge announcement system designed to improve journeys for hearing-impaired passengers on TransPennine Express (TPE) trains successfully completed its pilot phase and is the first-of-its kind to be used on the railways in the UK.
