Lethbridge Transit has implemented new accessibility features to help hearing and visually impaired citizens get around the city.

Transit riders across the city this week have seen— and heard — the city’s new next stop notifications system.

Those with hearing impairments will now be able to read the next stop while riders with visual impairments will listen to the stops announced via the bus sound system. After months of extensive testing to determine the best volume levels to meet the needs of riders the program, it was enacted across the city on Feb. 25.

Mike Ross, Transit Systems Operations Supervisor, said the system will be great for impaired transit riders.

“Accessibility and mobility are extremely important on any transit system. We are excited to be able to provide this new feature to make it easier for our entire community to use transit.”

Bill Brown of the Lethbridge Association for the Blind said the system is great to finally have in Lethbridge, as other cities have had similar technology for years.

“I’ve been in Toronto and other cities where they announce every stop on transit — on both the buses and the trains. It’s fantastic.”

All 42 Lethbridge Transit buses and all 640 bus stops across the city have been outfitted with the technology that will alert riders upon arrival at their stop.

Ross said the system is still being fine-tuned, specifically with audio levels, but extensive testing has over the past few months has been going well.

The new initiative was funded through the provincial GreenTRIP grant and the Federal Gas Tax.

Ross said no municipal funds were used to fund the $420,000 project.