Passengers who need help to get on and off trains at Manchester Piccadilly station now have a dedicated waiting lounge to make travelling by train a more pleasant experience.
Network Rail has invested £800,000 to create the new Assisted Travel Lounge by connecting a series of disused rooms behind the former passenger assistance waiting area near platform one.
The space has been transformed into a quiet and welcoming waiting area for passengers with additional mobility and sensory needs, with a dedicated team on hand to help.
It was designed with the guidance of Manchester Piccadilly’s disability task and finish group, which includes disabled people, their carers and advocates, to ensure the space meets the needs of those who’ll use it.
The lounge is accessed through its own doors in the station’s side entrance lobby from the car park and will be open between 7.15am and 9pm from Monday to Saturday (Changing Places facility is open 24 hours a day on request).
Scott Green, Station Manager at Piccadilly, said: “It’s great to see the new Assisted Travel Lounge open and we believe it will transform the way passengers access rail travel at Manchester Piccadilly.
“For some, travelling through a busy railway station can be a very daunting experience, so these new state-of-the-art facilities will make a huge difference to them, providing a friendly space for people to wait and get the help they need from a dedicated team. It’s part of our ongoing commitment to provide the best possible service for passengers with additional mobility and sensory needs.”
