Regulatory context
Transport services are explicitly covered by the EAA under Article 2, including urban, suburban, and regional transport ticketing, real-time travel information, and interactive self-service terminals such as ticket machines and check-in kiosks. The requirements apply to websites, mobile apps, and self-service terminals used by passengers. EN 301 549 is the applicable standard, incorporating WCAG 2.1 Level AA for web and mobile interfaces. Additionally, the EU Passenger Rights regulations across rail, air, bus, and waterborne transport include accessibility provisions that complement the EAA. Self-service kiosks at stations and airports must meet the hardware accessibility requirements in Annex I of the EAA.
Common issues Lumi finds in transport & ticketing websites
Booking and seat selection flows
Multi-step booking flows involving route selection, date pickers, seat maps, and passenger details are frequently inaccessible. Interactive seat maps built with canvas or SVG elements convey no information to screen readers, and date pickers rarely support keyboard navigation properly.
Real-time departure and arrival information
Live departure boards, delay notifications, platform changes, and gate announcements update dynamically but rarely use ARIA live regions to announce changes to screen reader users. Time-critical travel information must be perceivable by all users.
Mobile ticketing and QR codes
Mobile tickets, boarding passes, and QR codes are often presented as images without text alternatives. Screen reader users cannot verify ticket details or present tickets for scanning without accessible markup around the ticket information.
Route planning and map interfaces
Interactive maps showing routes, stops, and service areas are almost always inaccessible. Journey planners need text-based alternatives that convey route options, interchange points, and journey times without relying on visual map interaction.
Self-service kiosk interfaces
Ticket machines and check-in kiosks at stations and airports must be physically accessible (reach, height, tactile controls) and have accessible software interfaces. Many kiosks lack audio output, screen reader support, or sufficient contrast for outdoor use.
Service disruption and alert notifications
Planned engineering works, cancellations, and service disruptions are often communicated through banners, modals, or inline alerts that lack proper ARIA roles. Users relying on assistive technology may miss critical disruption information.
Transport & Ticketing-specific challenges
Transport services face unique accessibility challenges because of the time-sensitive nature of travel information. Departure boards, gate changes, and delay notifications must reach all users quickly. Booking flows are complex multi-step processes involving date selection, route choice, fare comparison, seat selection, and payment - each step must be fully keyboard and screen reader accessible. Self-service kiosks operate in challenging physical environments (bright sunlight, noisy stations) requiring high contrast and audio alternatives. Multi-modal journeys involving different operators add complexity when each provider's digital interface has different accessibility characteristics.
Compliance timeline
The EAA is enforceable from 28 June 2025 for new transport services. Existing digital services have until 28 June 2030. Self-service terminals (ticket machines, kiosks) placed into service after June 2025 must comply immediately. Terminals already in service have a maximum 20-year transition period. EU Passenger Rights regulations are already in force and include accessibility provisions.
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Frequently asked questions
Does the EAA apply to transport websites and apps?
Yes. Transport services including ticketing, real-time travel information, and check-in are explicitly in scope under Article 2 of the EAA. This covers websites, mobile apps, and self-service terminals used by passengers across all transport modes.
Are ticket machines covered by the EAA?
Yes. Self-service terminals including ticket machines and check-in kiosks are explicitly listed in the EAA. They must meet both physical accessibility requirements (height, reach, tactile elements) and software accessibility requirements (screen reader support, sufficient contrast, keyboard navigation).
Do real-time travel information displays need to be accessible?
Yes. Real-time travel information provided through digital channels must be accessible. On websites and apps, this means using ARIA live regions to announce updates to screen readers. Physical displays at stations must meet contrast and sizing requirements.
What accessibility standards apply to transport booking systems?
EN 301 549 is the harmonised standard referenced by the EAA, incorporating WCAG 2.1 Level AA for web content. The entire booking journey - from search and route selection through seat choice and payment - must meet these requirements.
Related resources
Last reviewed: April 2026. Content is reviewed quarterly for accuracy.