Students to learn about safe and healthy travel thanks to GWR grant

The Southeast Communities Rail Partnership wants to develop a GWR Education Programme to empower youngsters to travel independently on public transport and to do so in a safe and responsible manner.

The programme will initially target students at schools, colleges and universities close to the North Downs Line between Reading and Gatwick Airport, before being expanded in future years.

As part of GWR’s franchise agreement with the Department for Transport, the train operator is committed to funding projects proposed by our Community Rail Partnerships.

Southeast Communities Rail Partnership director Philip Ayers said:

“This funding will allow us to work in collaboration with GWR, Network Rail, British Transport Police and other Community Rail Partnerships to develop a programme which increases confidence for independent travel on public transport.

“We want to provide students with the skills to plan journeys, purchase tickets and use rail services safely and confidently.”

 ‘Try a Train’ sessions will see classroom learning followed up by a visit to a station and journeys on a GWR train, where young people will be encouraged to interact with staff.

Students will also be encouraged to consider a future in rail, as the Southeast Communities CRP works closely with GWR staff to deliver careers information.

GWR Community Manager Emma Morris said:

“We have a specific pot of money designed to support the Community Rail Partnerships on our network who in turn work with their local communities.

“This is a really exciting project which should really appeal to young people and give them the confidence to travel safely and independently on our network.”

To find out more about the Southeast Communities Rail Partnership please visit southeastcrp.org

Notes to editors

First Greater Western Limited, trading as “Great Western Railway” (GWR), operates trains across the Great Western franchise area, which includes South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, across southern England and into London. GWR provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services, and before the covid-19 pandemic helped over 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year. GWR was recently awarded an extension to its direct award franchise (called DA3), which shall run up to 31 March 2023 with an option to extend for a further year. 

Find out more here: https://www.gwr.com/about-us