RAIL customers are increasingly turning to QR technology to access live journey information, with South Western Railway (SWR) customers now scanning onboard QR codes every forty seconds, rising to a peak of every seven seconds during the busiest times.
More than 20,000 QR codes installed on SWR’s Class 158/9 and Class 444 longer distance fleets are helping customers access real-time travel information directly from their seats. Unique to every train and carriage, the QR codes connect customers to One Scan, SWR’s live journey information platform.
SWR has now unveiled a refreshed One Scan experience featuring a redesigned interface where customers can access live train updates, station information, onward travel connections and personalised journey details directly on their smartphones.
The platform also enables customers to share journey progress with friends and family, discover exclusive offers and rewards and provide instant feedback about trains and stations.
Developed in partnership with Whoosh, who specialise in providing tailored and innovative transport software solutions, One Scan has been used more than 700,000 times since launching in 2023 by customers looking for real-time updates, onward travel options and service alerts. In May 2026 alone, customers scanned codes almost 38,000 times.
Customer feedback submitted through One Scan is sent directly to SWR’s maintenance and train presentation teams, helping issues to be identified and resolved quickly.
Matthew Winnie, South Western Railway’s Chief Customer and Commercial Officer, said:
“We know how important providing accurate, timely and accessible information is for delivering a smooth journey. Our refreshed One Scan platform gives a more connected travel experience that helps customers stay informed throughout their journey.
“The easy-to-use QR codes on board trains between London and Weymouth, Portsmouth and Exeter take customers straight to live updates on their journey, with an option to see them in British Sign Language, as well as details of special offers and SWR Rewards.
“Next time you see a QR code on the seat in front of you, scan it and see what One Scan has to offer you.”
One Scan includes the option to see updates by AI-generated BSL videos, an award-winning UK first
In 2024, SWR collaborated with Signapse, a British Sign Language (BSL) translation software company to enhance One Scan with the UK’s first direct-to-device BSL travel information system.
For many Deaf customers, rail travel can present daily challenges. Essential updates such as disruption alerts, platform changes or emergency announcements are often delivered through audio or fragmented information, leaving some customers excluded from vital updates.
Unlike written English, BSL is a native language for many Deaf and deafblind people. One Scan provides photorealistic BSL translations on their devices, ensuring that information is clearer, more inclusive and available at every stage of their journey.
This was a UK first, receiving First Of A Kind funding from Innovate UK. Its value was recognised by the rail industry with the 2026 Rail Business Award for ‘Accessibility & Integrated Transport Excellence’.
One Scan is built to the same accessibility standards used by the British Government, meaning customers who use screen readers, assistive technology, or simply find small text difficult to read can access the same information as everyone else on board.
You can watch an introduction to One Scan and its features here.
