To ask the Minister for Infrastructure what engagement his Department has had with Translink in regard to assisting blind and partially sighted passengers at rail stations and platforms.

All main Translink bus and rail stations fully comply with the Disability Discrimination legislation. My Officials and Translink continue to engage with the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) and the Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee (IMTAC) on how to improve travel for blind and partially sighted passengers.

Tactile paving has been used to provide touch guidance in bus and rail stations. Translink also provides machine readable timetables and it is currently working on providing accessible planning options on the journey planner to assist people with disabilities to plan their journey. In the meantime, the Translink contact centre is available to help with the planning of these journeys. Translink staff receive accessibility training and in manned locations they would be available to provide assistance.

My Department and Translink remain committed to supporting people with disabilities and ensuring that our public transport network is inclusive.