Be My Eyes and Amtrak Partner to Pilot Innovative Visual Interpretation Technology for Blind and Low Vision Passengers

Live visual support aims to transform the rail experience at major U.S. train stations

SAN FRANCISCO, CA and WASHINGTON, D.C. — August 6, 2025 — Be My Eyes, the world’s leading Customer Accessibility Management platform for people who are blind or have low vision, today announced a partnership with Amtrak to launch a pilot program that brings on-demand visual interpretation to blind and low vision passengers at key Amtrak stations.

The initiative will allow passengers to access live, real-time assistance from trained visual interpreters via the Be My Eyes mobile app, providing support with navigating station environments, finding gates, reading signs, and more—all through the user’s smartphone camera.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Amtrak on this transformative pilot,” said Mike Buckley, CEO of Be My Eyes. “For blind and low vision passengers, a seamless station experience can be the difference between frustration and freedom. Our mission is to make the world more accessible—and that starts with public transportation.”

The three-month pilot, launching this summer, will deploy the service at 16 stations in the Northeast Corridor, including high-traffic hubs such as New York Penn Station, Philadelphia 30th Street Station, Boston South Station, and Washington Union Station. These locations were selected to provide data across a range of environments.

The project itself is part of a wider initiative within Amtrak to enhance the travel experience for blind and low vision passengers, and to make Amtrak a more equitable and independent travel option for passengers preferring greater autonomy rather than solely relying on staff assistance.

“Amtrak is committed to delivering an inclusive and independent travel experience for all our customers,” said Dr. David Handera, Vice President of Accessibility and Customer Service at Amtrak. “This pilot is a major step forward in breaking down barriers to travel for blind and low vision passengers and demonstrates our commitment to equity, accessibility, and innovation.”

The service will be provided at no cost to passengers and will be accessible via the Be My Eyes app on iOS and Android devices. Agents responding to requests through the Be My Eyes software platform are trained professionals who deliver high-quality visual interpretation through secure, real-time video connections. Upon opening the app, customers will be able to select the service directory option and look for Amtrak under Travel & Transportation.

Pending the results of the pilot—which will be assessed through usage metrics, rider feedback, and operational performance—Amtrak and Be My Eyes may expand the program nationwide across Amtrak’s network of stations.

About Be My Eyes

Launched in 2015, Be My Eyes is a globally recognized and award-winning access technology provider for people who are blind or have low vision. With a global community of over 800,000 users, and over 8.5 million volunteers, Be My Eyes connects blind and low vision users with volunteers, professional agents and companies, through live video and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to tackle inaccessible parts of everyday life, whether at home or at work; and all for free to the end user.

Be My Eyes is available in more than 150 countries worldwide and its volunteers speak more than 180 languages. 

To learn more, please visit bemyeyes.com and bemyeyes.com/business or join us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon, Threads, Bluesky and TikTok.

About Amtrak

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) is a vital part of the nation’s transportation infrastructure, operating more than 300 trains daily to over 500 destinations across 46 states. Amtrak is committed to providing a safe, reliable, and accessible travel experience for all passengers. Learn more at www.amtrak.com.

Media Contacts:
Be My Eyes
press@bemyeyes.com

Amtrak Media Relations
mediarelations@amtrak.com