SAN ANTONIO — Thousands of new QR codes popping up at VIA stops in the coming months will make it easier for blind, low-vision and non-English-speaking riders to access San Antonio's primary bus service.
The technology is called NaviLens, and it translates information like directions to bus stops and estimated arrival times into spoken and visually distinct assistance in one of 34 different languages. All users need to do is download the NaviLens mobile app, which alerts users when it comes within 50 feet of a bus stop equipped with the technology and starts providing real-time information.
"Delivering the NaviLens technology underscores VIA's continued commitment to investing in technology and innovation aimed at improving accessibility and the customer experience," the service said in a release.
VIA says NaviLens will detect close proximity to the codes no matter how dark it is and start communicating in just moments. The award-winning technology is currently utilized in New York City, Barcelona and Murcia, Spain.
Riders can expect to see 6,000 of the multicolored QR codes posted on VIA signs "over the next several months." VIA trustees voted to implement the technology in January 2023, following a six-month pilot period.
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