{"id":4968,"date":"2026-07-22T15:19:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T15:19:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bemyeyes.com\/business\/?page_id=4968"},"modified":"2026-07-22T15:22:03","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T15:22:03","slug":"amtrak","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bemyeyes.com\/business\/amtrak\/","title":{"rendered":"Amtrak"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n Accessible rail travel for Amtrak\u2019s blind and low-vision passengers <\/h1>\n
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Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily to over 500 destinations across 46 states, connecting millions of passengers each year. As a vital part of the U.S. transportation network, Amtrak is committed to making travel safe, reliable, and accessible for all passengers.<\/p>\n

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To strengthen that commitment, Amtrak partners with Be My Eyes to introduce live visual support for passengers who are blind or have low vision. What began as a regional pilot has now expanded nationwide, helping travelers move through stations with greater confidence and independence.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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\n The Challenge & Objective <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
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The Challenge<\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Train stations are busy, fast-changing environments where information is often delivered visually and with little notice. Departure boards update in real time, platforms can change quickly, signage may be difficult to locate, and crowded spaces can make the journey more stressful. For blind and low-vision passengers, these moments can create barriers that reduce confidence and often make trips difficult. In fact, it\u2019s estimated that around one in three people who are blind or have low vision are unable to make the train journeys they want or need to.<\/p>\n

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The Objective<\/b><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Amtrak set out to improve the travel experience for blind and low-vision passengers by making assistance available instantly, directly through a customer\u2019s smartphone. The goal was to create a more enjoyable and inclusive experience across the entire journey. The partnership focused on:<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\n Improving independent travel <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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\n Increasing customer confidence <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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\n Building a more accessible and enjoyable travel experience <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
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\n Leading in inclusive transportation <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n
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\n The Solution <\/h1>\n
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Amtrak launched live visual support through Be My Eyes Service Connect, allowing passengers to connect instantly with trained visual interpreters through secure real-time video. Using the Be My Eyes app, travelers can receive help exactly when and where they need it – with the agent being able to see directly through their smartphone camera (or even via their smartglasses) with a one-way video and two-way audio connection.<\/p>\n

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Support includes advice on station layouts, reading signs and departure boards, finding the correct platform, locating amenities, and managing unexpected changes during travel.<\/p>\n

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The initial pilot launched across 16 stations in the Northeast Corridor, including high-traffic hubs such as New York – Moynihan Train Hall at Penn Station, Philadelphia – William H. Gray III 30th Street Station, Boston South Station, and Washington Union Station.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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\n Results <\/h1>\n
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The pilot showed that real-time visual support can remove friction in transportation environments and greatly improve the overall experience for blind and low-vision passengers.<\/p>\n

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Key outcomes include:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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<\/i> Expansion from pilot program to nationwide rollout<\/p>\n

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<\/i> Service now available at 50+ Amtrak stations across the U.S.<\/p>\n

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<\/i> Greater passenger confidence and independence while traveling<\/p>\n

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<\/i> Reduced stress in unfamiliar, high-traffic stations<\/p>\n

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<\/i> Recognition of Amtrak as a global accessibility leader within the rail industry<\/p>\n

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Amtrak\u2019s expansion demonstrates that accessibility investments can deliver measurable operational value while creating a better, more independent customer experience at scale.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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\n \u201cFor passengers who are blind or with low vision, accessibility isn\u2019t a \u2018nice to have\u2019 \u2014 it\u2019s what makes independent travel possible. Seeing this partnership grow from a pilot into a nationwide expansion, including some of the largest stations in the U.S., is incredibly meaningful. It shows what\u2019s possible when accessibility is built into the travel experience from the start.\u201d <\/p>\n

\n Mike Buckley, CEO at Be My Eyes <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \n

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\n \u201cI founded Be My Eyes because access to information should never depend on whether you can see it or not. Travel is one of the clearest examples of that. Signs, schedules, platform changes, and directions are everywhere, but they are not always accessible. Working with Amtrak helps transform everyday travel moments into experiences of freedom, confidence, and independence.\u201d <\/p>\n

\n Hans J\u00f8rgen Wiberg, Founder at Be My Eyes <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

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