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BARCELONA Metropolitan Transport (TMB) has launched a system to help the blind and partially-sighted find their way around the rail and bus network – in fact, it is a world first.
The mobile phone App is currently the only known one of its type and Barcelona is the only city on earth with it in place.
It enables travellers to hear times, destinations, directions to stops or stations, and other necessary information to allow them to use public transport safely without having to ask for help.
They may initially need assistance, however, unless their phones are adapted or set up to be useable by those with limited or no vision, since they have to scan what looks like a colourful QR code to get the App.
Found on over 2,600 bus shelters and at 161 metro stations, the 'TMBgo' sticker lets passengers get real-time information about the next bus or train en route to them, how full or otherwise they are, and receive alerts about incidents affecting service, all audio-based.
To download it, the traveller needs to click on the 'scan' icon on their phone and hold the camera over the QR-type label – this may be feasible for someone with very limited eyesight, such as those with cataracts or glaucoma who can make out shapes, colours and movements but cannot see enough to read words or numbers, but for someone who is completely without sight, they would probably need to get someone to help them by holding up the camera to the right position.
Once the App is downloaded, however, they can then 'listen' to ongoing transport information for themselves.
The 'TMBgo' App, additionally, includes a system that reads news and news headlines out loud, audio books, the city's events programmes – such as fiestas, exhibitions and sporting dates – and audio tutorials for practising learning English as a foreign language, among other features.
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