Washington D.C. Becomes One of the Most Accessible Cities in the World with Waymap

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The tech company’s partnership with Metro brings turn-by-turn, step-by-step navigation to nearly every corner of the city, including deep underground

Washington D.C. Becomes One of the Most Accessible Cities in the World with Waymap

Media Contact
Cathy Corwin
Waymap@qh-pr.com

Waymap, a navigation app designed for people with vision impairments that is making complex city spaces and transit systems more accessible for everyone, today announced its platform is now live across the entire Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (Metro) transit system, including 98 rail stations, over 11,000 bus stops, and 325 bus routes. With an estimated 50 million Americans reporting some degree of vision loss, Waymap is a powerful free tool expanding travel and community connection for people with vision impairments and other disabilities in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. To download the app, visit linktr.ee/waymap.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250211289881/en/

“Access to navigation means access to the world—and to all the social, emotional, and professional opportunities it holds,” said Waymap Founder and President Tom Pey. “From lifelong residents with disabilities to visitors and others who have a harder time getting around, everyone should be able to explore all that this great city has to offer. We are grateful to have Metro as a partner in bringing this possibility closer to reality.”

Founded in 2017, and inspired and informed by the experiences of its Founder and President, Tom Pey, Waymap’s proprietary SmartStep™ technology gives turn-by-turn, step-by-step audio instructions with up to three feet of accuracy throughout a user’s journey. With over 32 million square feet (and counting) of real estate mapped globally, Waymap is the only personal navigation system that does not rely on mobile phone signal, WiFi, Bluetooth beacons, GPS, or other physical infrastructure. For more information on how Waymap’s technology works, see here.

“Metro plays a vital role in the community—connecting people in the region to jobs, schools, major attractions, and recreational activities. Ensuring that America’s Metro System is a leader in accessibility on a global scale is a priority for all of us at Metro,” said Metro General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke. “Safe, accessible public transit not only increases ridership, it also leads to a stronger economy, improved access to arts and culture, and a better place to live and work overall. Waymap also has the potential to make our region’s transportation network easier for all people to navigate.”

While Washington D.C. is the first entire city and transportation network to become available on Waymap’s platform, the company plans to expand to more cities across the U.S. and internationally in the coming year. Waymap’s location technology is currently live in cities and locations including:

  • Birmingham New Street and University Stations, Birmingham, UK
  • Glasshouse International Music Centre, Newcastle, UK
  • King George Station, Brisbane, Australia
  • Liverpool One, a leading UK shopping mall
  • Principe Pio Station in Madrid, Spain
  • Tampines Interchange / SBS Transit, Singapore
  • The University of British Columbia, Canada
  • Union Station, Los Angeles, Calif.

“At the TELUS Pollinator Fund, the impact arm of TELUS Global Ventures, we're committed to investing in innovative technologies that make a meaningful difference in people's lives,” said Terry Doyle, Managing Partner of TELUS Global Ventures. “Waymap's groundbreaking navigation platform aligns perfectly with our vision of creating more inclusive and accessible communities by giving visually impaired people the ability and the choice to take public transportation without navigation worries. By supporting Waymap's expansion in Washington D.C. and beyond, we're not just investing in a company; we're investing in a future where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can navigate and experience cities with confidence and independence.”

To date, Waymap has raised $10.75m in funding with investors including TELUS Global Ventures, Venrex, and Whitecloud Capital. To learn more, visit: waymapnav.com.

About Waymap
Waymap is a highly accurate personal navigation app, initially purpose built for people with vision impairments. The application supports greater accessibility and mobility in complex city spaces and transit systems, and its unparalleled precision creates a more efficient travel experience for all people. Inspired and informed by the experiences of its Founder and President, Tom Pey, Waymap’s proprietary SmartStep™ technology provides users with turn-by-turn, step-by-step guidance, with step-level accuracy. Waymap does not rely on mobile phone signal, WiFi, Bluetooth beacons, GPS, or other physical infrastructure. The app is now live in 10 cities worldwide including Los Angeles, London, Liverpool, and Singapore. Waymap was founded in 2017. To learn more, visit: waymapnav.com.

About Metro
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) was created by an interstate compact in 1967 to plan, develop, build, finance, and operate a balanced regional transportation system in the national capital area.

Metro began building its rail system in 1969, acquired four regional bus systems in 1973, and began operating the first phase of Metrorail in 1976. The paratransit service, MetroAccess, began in 1994.

Today, Metrorail serves 98 stations and has 128 miles of track. Metrobus serves the nation's capital 24 hours a day, seven days a week with 1,500 buses. Metrorail and Metrobus serve a population of approximately 4 million within a 1,500-square mile jurisdiction.