(Image: Transpennine)
A major railway upgrade across the North is putting accessibility at the centre of its improvements.
The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), which is transforming the railway in the region, has introduced new Customer Communication Cards to help disabled passengers share their support needs more easily with staff.
Carl Harland, accessibility lead for the TRU, said: "For many of our disabled customers, asking for help can be one of the biggest barriers to travel.
"These cards help start that conversation, giving customers an easy way to communicate their needs and enabling staff to provide support needed for a smooth end-to-end journey."
The cards are available at key stations along the TRU route or can be downloaded from www.thetrupgrade.co.uk/accessibility.
The upgrade programme also aims to deliver a more inclusive railway by modernising stations with step-free access, accessible waiting areas and improved blue badge parking.
Other improvements include upgraded signage, clearer audio and visual announcements, and improved hearing loops at key locations.
TRU has introduced additional tools and processes, such as Passenger Assist, which allows customers to request help with boarding, alighting, connections and navigating stations.
As of 1 August, larger rail replacement vehicles on shorter journeys will now be equipped with audible and visual onboard information.