News / Transport
Free rail travel for community groups
Community groups across Bristol are being offered the chance to claim free rail tickets.
The project is funded by GWR as part of a £2.2 million communities’ improvement fund launched in 2015 to support areas of social need.
‘Days Out by Train in the West of England’ aims to remove any financial barriers to travel by providing community groups with complimentary group rail tickets on GWR services within the West of England.
Dr Miriam Ricci, from UWE Bristol’s Centre for Transport and Society, is leading the project: “Our research has shown us that socially disadvantaged community groups in Bristol found that the cost of travel, combined with lack of public transport connections and access to private transport were significant barriers to travel, leading to a lack of physical activity, social isolation and inability for many families to take children on leisure trips to local attractions.
“We hope that many people will take advantage of this offer and enjoy the experience of a day out by train, not only as a boost to their own well-being but for families and individuals to develop confidence on how to use the railways and to open up new opportunities.”
Keith Walton, chairman of the Severnside Community Rail Partnership, said, “Funding from GWR enables disadvantaged groups across our region to experience the local rail service free of charge, and we are finding that many of those travelling as part of the scheme would never have otherwise considered using local rail services.
The ‘Days Out’ offer is open to residents’ associations, youth clubs, schools, children centres and any local organisations and charities working with disadvantaged communities in Bristol and the West of England.
Groups are eligible to claim a free group ticket for a maximum of 20 people to a GWR destination of their choice until February 2017.
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