Agnese shares her experience about traveling on the new electric trains. She admits that trains used to seem intimidating because of the stereotype that they are not accessible to people with visual impairments. With the new electric trains the situation has improved significantly – boarding is easier and disembarking also takes place on a level platform, making movement safer and more convenient.
Agnese explains that, knowing where the seats are, she can easily find her seat by touch. She particularly emphasizes the importance of tactile guidance, noting that it is of high quality, easily detected with a cane, and facilitates safe access to the platform. Braille signs and platform numbering on the handrails are also useful and they help the persons navigate the environment.
After getting acquainted with the new system, Agnese feels confident and secure. She no longer feels afraid to use the train. Since she plans to move to Riga for her studies and travel to Daugavpils and Rēzekne, the new accessible railway infrastructure gives her confidence that this is completely feasible and convenient.
Agnese’s Experience: visually impaired person travels by train
Project No. 4.5.1.1/21/I/001 “Acquisition of Electric Trains Needed for Passenger Transport in Riga and the Riga Region” and project No. 2.4.1.2/2/24/I/001 “Acquisition of Electric Trains, Spare Parts, and Bicycle Spaces.”
The total cost of the projects amounts to €244,846,309, of which €168,191,033 is funded by the European Union Cohesion Fund.
Project No. 6.2.1.2/21/I/001 “Modernization of Railway Passenger Infrastructure” (Phase 1) and Project No. 3.1.1.3/1/24/I/001 “Modernization of Railway Passenger Infrastructure, Phase 2.”
Projects cost: €51.7 million
Cohesion Fund co-financing: €43.9 million
Funding recipient: JSC “Latvijas dzelzceļš”.
#eufunds #accessibility#trains
