Tuesday June 16th 2026
L-R: Calum Welsh, Information Infrastructure Manager, Lothian Country; Amy McAinsh,Jason MacMillan, Assistive Technology Lead, Sight Scotland Veterans; Lorna Cunningham, Public Transport Support Officer, West Lothian Council and Councillor Tom Conn
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Stuart Sommerville
Councillors have applauded the success of a pioneering scheme which helps passengers with visual impairment use local buses.
A meeting of the Environment and Sustainability PDSP heard how West Lothian is the first area in the country to use the NaviLens technology first introduced in December.
Councillor Alison Adamson told the meeting the project was “fantastic”.
A report to the committee said: “Passenger Transport has piloted a project between West Lothian Council, Lothian Country and Sight Scotland Veterans aimed at helping residents of the Linburn Centre access real-time public transport information to help them get to Livingston Shopping Centre and further afield using new NaviLens technology.
“This made West Lothian the first area in Scotland to use this cutting-edge technology to help blind and partially sighted residents to access public transport.”
West Lothian Council installed new NaviLens codes at bus stops in Wilkieston and at Livingston Bus Terminal, following engagement with Sight Scotland Veterans on how their community access public transport.
This engagement found that the use of apps employing AI was a key contributor in assisting users to undertake simple tasks, effectively making day-to-day life easier for them.
NaviLens codes are similar to interactive colourful QR codes, which blind or partially-sighted users can scan with their smartphones. This then provides users with real-time audio with transport information, such as bus services and the estimated times they will arrive at the stop. It can be used to provide information on local infrastructure, and facilities that surround them, making it easier for them to make their way around public places.
Jason MacMillan, Assistive Technology Lead with Sight Scotland Veterans, said: “They are colourful QR codes that not only give visually impaired travellers’ instant access to real time public transport information via their smartphones, but they also guide them to the bus stop within 20 metres, which can be extremely helpful. This is a major step toward making travel more inclusive and independent for the veterans who use our Linburn Centre and for visually impaired people across West Lothian.
“By working with West Lothian Council and Lothian Country, we are enabling our community to reach destinations like Livingston Shopping Centre and beyond with greater freedom.”
At the launch of the scheme in December Calum Welsh, Information Infrastructure Manager, Lothian Country said: “We were delighted to work with West Lothian Council and Sight Scotland Veterans to help to introduce NaviLens codes to bus stops as part of this pilot scheme.
“Promoting accessible travel information is a key priority for us and this project strengthens our commitment to enhancing the accessible customer experience across all aspects of our services.”
Responding to a report on bus service development Councillor Adamson told the meeting: “The Linburn story is fantastic news and it is good to see that west Lothian is leading the field. So all in all its quite positive, so thank you very much.”
Passenger Transport officers in West Lothian have continued to explore opportunities for digital innovation and improved data analysis, using Power BI, a business data platform that allows easier visualisation of data, to improve management information from contract management and financial management systems.
This will allow the service to analyse trends in passenger demand, identify the most frequently used routes and stops, and better understand network usage.
The service is also starting to develop the use of mobile phone movement data through the Workforce Mobility project, to gain a better understanding of travel patterns, supporting transport planning, network development and future service delivery considerations.
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