Google Street View supports passengers with accessibility needs at TfL stations

Transport for London (TfL), Network Rail and Google have launched Google Street View within stations across central London to support customers with accessibility needs and those who are less confident travelling.

Customers can now access Google Street View within 18 stations across the Tube, Elizabeth line and Network Rail stations - including Oxford Circus, London Bridge and Tottenham Court Road, with a further 18 stations live before the end of the year.

Over the last year Google has captured 360-degree images inside a number of London Underground and Elizabeth line stations across central London, as well as at Network Rail stations where they interconnect with TfL services.

Providing a virtual representation of some of London's busiest stations, says TfL, will help customers get a better sense of the layout of stations when planning journeys or interchanging between train lines at stations. It will also help customers more easily identify key facilities such as lifts, toilets, benches and help points.

Google's blurring technology has automatically blurred faces to protect customers' and staff's privacy.

Early feedback from accessibility stakeholders indicated that being able to see within stations before visiting them is beneficial to customers with accessibility needs or people who are unfamiliar with travelling in the capital.

Christina Calderato, Director of Strategy at TfL, said, "By working with Google to bring Street View to our stations, our customers will now be able to more easily plan their journey through our stations with confidence. This project also supports our wider Equity in Motion ambition to improving signage and wayfinding, helping people to better navigate some of the capital's busiest stations and help us to build a better, more equitable London."

Debbie Weinstein, Vice President and Managing Director for Google UK and Ireland, said, "At Google, we're passionate about creating products that are truly useful and accessible for everyone, and this project represents a significant step forward in that journey. By combining Google's Street View technology with TfL and Network Rail's expertise, we're breaking new ground in transport accessibility and wayfinding. I'm personally excited to see how this recent collaboration empowers people to explore and experience London's transport network in a whole new way."

Malcolm Pitt, Network Rail's Head of Customer Experience and Accessibility, said, "Travelling on the rail network should be for everyone; we want to empower all passengers, including those with disabilities, to travel with greater autonomy. Planning and ensuring the best journey can be overwhelming, especially when busy stations and interchanges are involved. Partnering with Google and Transport for London to bring Street View to our London stations will provide clear and accessible information that will give passengers the confidence to travel and make their journeys as simple and seamless as possible."

Sarah Pugh, CEO of children’s wheelchair charity Whizz Kidz said, "Whizz Kidz has been thrilled to be part of the work with TfL and Google on Street View. This will support wheelchair users to travel through stations, planning routes and travel with confidence and independence. We continue to support new innovations from TfL and other partners to ensure access to public transport is equitable for all."