We’re supporting plans to encourage people to ‘give the train a try’.
Community groups and volunteers across Britain are coming together for this year’s Community Rail Week. They are especially encouraging the many families and individuals who rarely or never get on a train or bus – and instead rely on cars – to consider the benefits of making at least the occasional switch to greener, healthier, more social forms of travel.
Community Rail Week, organised by Community Rail Network and sponsored by Rail Delivery Group, runs from 23-29 May, and will involve hundreds of community rail partnerships and volunteer groups inviting people to ‘give the train a try’.
Community events and activities are planned nationwide.
Here at Southeast Communities Rail Partnership, our activities include:
:: Organising train trips for people who have previously been reluctant to use trains or need improved confidence
:: Leading a Rail to Ramble guided walk
:: Teaching youngsters about rail safety
:: Promoting integrated transport routes using trains and buses
Jools Townsend, chief executive of Community Rail Network, said: “Community Rail Week, and its call to action of ‘give the train a try’, is all about connecting local communities with their railways and encouraging and enabling more people to travel sustainably by train.
“Community rail has an inspiring track record of doing just that: promoting travel confidence and increasing access to opportunity, while bringing people together, giving communities a voice, and putting railways and stations at the heart of community life. Community rail partnerships and volunteers the length and breadth of Britain are this week mobilising en masse engaging local people and partners to raise awareness about the importance of rail, and get people enthused about its benefits.
“We want to help people who feel less confident with train travel to give it a go and get across the positive difference it makes switching even the occasional journey from car to public transport: for our planet, healthy living and local communities.”
Jacqueline Starr, Chief Executive Officer of the Rail Delivery Group, said: “This Community Rail Week, we’re looking forward to welcoming everyone on to our network and connecting them to the people and places they love. We encourage people to give the train a try not only because it’s one of the greenest forms of transport, but also because it boosts local businesses and the wider economy.”
Keep an eye out on our website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds for more details and photos of our events throughout the week.
