News
10. Jul 2023

A revolution for blind and visually impaired users of Strætó

Strætó and Blindrafélagið signed a cooperation agreement between them on July 5th regarding the installation of NaviLens codes at all bus stops and buses in the capital area. This is a complete revolution for the blind and visually impaired in access to information about bus trips in real time, undoubtedly the biggest since an audio system was installed in the buses over 10 years ago, which specifies where the bus will stop next.

The codes will also be placed on the buses themselves and this will help the blind and visually impaired to know which bus it is and in which direction it is going without having to rely on the help of others.

Strætó will lead the project and Strætó will own and be responsible for the codes, but the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Market and the Minister of Infrastructure signed an agreement with Blindrafélagið at the beginning of the year for the joint project between the organization and Strætó on the implementation of the codes and provided a grant of ISK 2,000,000. each.

A project of this magnitude will only succeed with the joint effort of all parties involved in the operation of bus stops and buses, and everyone has offered their assistance to implement the codes.

Hlynur Þór Agnarsson, a consultant from Blindrafélagið who is involved in the project, says that the NaviLens solution is both exciting and an appropriate step in improving the access of the blind and visually impaired to information about the arrival time of Strætó buses. „I am happy with the foresight shown by Strætó because I have no doubt that in a few years such codes will be established in many more places, which will improve the access of the blind and visually impaired to information in the environment and significantly increase their independence. This is the first time in Iceland that information in public transport in environmental sign is accessible to those who cannot read it.

Jóhannes S. Rúnarsson, CEO of Strætó, said at the signing that he was proud that Strætó was part of a project as important as greatly improving accessibility for the blind and visually impaired in Strætó. It would be a revolution in accessibility, but the board of Strætó set a policy for improved accessibility for everyone, and this is the first phase of that journey.

Jóhannes S. Rúnarsson, CEO of Strætó og Sigþór U. Hallfreðsson, manager of Blindrafélagið
Jóhannes S. Rúnarsson, CEO of Strætó og Sigþór U. Hallfreðsson, manager of BlindrafélagiðSamþykkt
Representatives from Reykjavík city were also present to discuss implementation of NaviLens codes in the city. Jóhannes S. Rúnarsson, CEO of Strætó, Anna Kristinsdóttir from Reykjavík city, Sigþór U. Hallfreðsson, manager of Blindrafélagið. Kristinn Halldór Einarsson, CEO of Blindrafélagið, Hlynur Þór Agnarsson, consultant of Blindrafélagið og Grétar Mar Hreggviðsson from Reykjavík city.
Representatives from Reykjavík city were also present to discuss implementation of NaviLens codes in the city. Jóhannes S. Rúnarsson, CEO of Strætó, Anna Kristinsdóttir from Reykjavík city, Sigþór U. Hallfreðsson, manager of Blindrafélagið. Kristinn Halldór Einarsson, CEO of Blindrafélagið, Hlynur Þór Agnarsson, consultant of Blindrafélagið og Grétar Mar Hreggviðsson from Reykjavík city.Fyrir framan hús