Snowball, the pioneering app described as ‘TripAdvisor for the disabled community’, is using Transport for London (TfL) data to integrate all the accessible stations on the London transport network into its mobile app, making it easier for disabled people to plan outings in the capital.
The free Snowball mobile app, which operates worldwide helps users find and review restaurants, shops, and other businesses and services based on how accessible they are for disabled people. Features include user reviews, search functionality, and the option to share your review on Facebook – all designed with accessibility in mind. Through TfL’s open data policy, a step-free station map now shows in all London search results in Snowball, allowing users to plan a trip from start to finish in just one app.
All TfL stations feature on the map, with information on the growing number of step-free stations in London regularly updated. There are currently 93 London Underground stations with step-free access, including Knightsbridge which recently gained a brand-new step free entrance with two lifts. More than 60 London Overground stations, all Elizabeth line and DLR stations, and all tram stops have step-free access, and TfL’s bus network is one of the most accessible in the world.
London residents with certain disabilities are eligible for free travel at anytime on TfL’s services including on buses, DLR, Elizabeth line, London Overground, trams, Tube and river services with London Council’s Disabled Person’s Freedom Pass.
To further improve ease of travel, Snowball has introduced a traffic light accessibility system to the app. This feature allows users to instantly identify whether a station has step-free access:
Green: Fully accessible, no assistance needed
Amber: Partially accessible, requiring additional staff assistance or portable ramps
Red: Not accessible for wheelchair users
These ratings were personally created by Simon Sansome, the app’s founder and a wheelchair user himself, who, alongside his team, visited and tested accessibility at every London station to ensure the system reflects real-world experiences.
In the UK, approximately 16 million people are disabled, accounting for 24 per cent of the population. In London alone, 13.2 percent of residents are disabled, underscoring the need for accessible public transportation options. The new Snowball offering complements the existing step-free Tube map on the free TfL Go app, which has detailed information about accessibility features at each station and a real-time step-free journey planning tool, while TfL’s accessible bus service provides another reliable way to travel, especially in outer London.
Simon Sansome, founder of Snowball, said: “Our goal is to make London more navigable for everyone, regardless of their physical abilities. By highlighting step-free stations and introducing our traffic light system, we aim to remove barriers and promote inclusivity across the city’s transportation network.”
