Keolis Downer – the proud operator of Yarra Trams – is trialling new technology to break down some of the most fundamental accessibility barriers on Melbourne’s iconic tram network.

We have fitted more than 100 of our trams and stops along Route 96 - one of the city’s longest tramlines - with NaviLens, which links passengers with real-time information on routes serviced by each stop, when the next tram is due, where an approaching tram is going, the next stop when onboard a tram and any service interruptions.

Importantly, NaviLens can help vision-impaired travellers by reading information aloud, and support linguistically diverse passengers by translating information into more than 30 languages.

This is all accessed through codes, like QR codes, that can be scanned through a smartphone app. The codes are designed to be scannable from more than ten metres away and work indoors and out, ensuring ease of use and accessibility to information.

NaviLens can solve fundamental public transport accessibility challenges for people who are blind or visually impaired, visiting tourists, people of diverse linguistic backgrounds, and many others, giving them confidence to travel on Melbourne’s tram network.