The award recognises efforts to improve facilities and services and applauds high level customer service. 

QR identified that people with a hearing impairment could not access the existing information system for train information and developed an alternative SMS messaging service that provides timetable information 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. 

The SMS information service allows people with hearing impairment the flexibility to contact QR before, during or after travel and can be used anywhere, whether on a train, at the station or at home. 

Whilst the service was initially developed for people with a hearing impairment, it is available to all people with a disability and can also be used as an additional method to contact QR staff in an emergency. 

QR assembled a dedicated task team covering five work sectors to investigate software, human resources and testing systems. 

“This demonstrates amazing commitment by all of the staff involved to develop and provide such an important state wide service,” said Transport Minister Paul Lucas.