Jay Shen, Founder and CEO at Transreport, highlights 2024 as a pivotal year for accessibility technology as his company reflects on its journey from a UK startup to a global presence and explores strategic goals for 2025.
Jay Shen remarked, "As we stand at the threshold of 2025, I find myself reflecting on Transreport's transformative journey from a UK startup to becoming a global leader in accessibility technology. This journey has been both challenging and rewarding. At Transreport, we have always viewed accessibility as a fundamental business imperative. This vision has driven us to pioneer solutions which transform global assistance processes, creating more inclusive travel experiences for all."
Transreport's Passenger Assistance technology has facilitated over 2 million inclusive journeys in the UK, accomplishing significant social impact by enhancing travel equity. The company's commitment to expanding its accessibility solutions has reached significant milestones in Japan and the Middle East, ensuring global industries offer outstanding customer experiences.
In 2024, the broader accessibility landscape saw major developments such as Google's Project Relate's speech recognition technology for users with speech impairments and the European Union's Accessibility Act, which set new standards for digital accessibility. These innovations bolster the demand for user-centric solutions like those from Transreport.
"Driving Accessibility Impact Through Technology," Shen said, reflecting on Transreport's dedication to co-designing solutions with Disabled individuals to optimise value for end-users and partners. This approach ensures the technology efficiently meets varied access needs, making it suitable for different markets while maximising social impact.
Transreport received multiple industry recognitions in 2024. Jay Shen expressed pride at receiving the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Award at the Railway Industry Association RISE Awards, acknowledging the company's EDI initiatives. Additionally, Shen was honoured as Managing Director of the Year at the SME News Awards, and investment partner Puma Growth Partners, alongside Pembroke VCT, was recognised at the Growth Investor Awards.
Commenting on global expansion challenges, Shen noted that Transreport gained invaluable insights into differing regulatory standards worldwide. Recognising the necessity for adaptable yet globally unified standards, the company introduced the Community Network to increase collaboration with Disabled communities globally.
The initiative allows diverse perspectives for user-testing and provides research opportunities, ensuring ongoing technology development aligns with real-world needs. Internal changes within Transreport further emphasised inclusivity, eliminating degree requirements for technical roles and emphasising practical skills and lived experiences.
Looking at employee wellbeing, Transreport implemented a "right to disconnect" policy, which positively impacted team wellbeing and productivity, highlighting its importance to sustainable growth.
Jay Shen forecasts significant advancements in accessibility technology in 2025, predicting it will become mainstream as businesses move beyond a "tick box culture" and acknowledge accessibility as an essential market driver.
Regarding future technological directions, Shen anticipates increased integration of Artificial Intelligence and real-time data to provide personalised and predictive assistance, thereby enhancing service precision and efficiency for travellers. This evolution will lead to widespread adoption of real-time communication between passengers and operators as well as tailored travel recommendations, resulting in seamless user experiences.
"In this evolving market, accessibility will not only become a moral imperative but a key differentiator for brands," said Shen. He emphasised that accessibility will influence brand identity, drive consumer loyalty, and affect purchasing decisions.
Jay Shen envisions Transreport expanding beyond aviation and rail into a more integrated ecosystem, enabling users to communicate accessibility needs across various industries globally. By maintaining strong partnerships, Transreport plans to foster these inclusive experiences on a larger scale.
