Below is the text version of our interactive poster.
——
Citizens’ Rail – Our impact
From 2012 to 2015, the EU Citizens’ Rail project worked with communities to develop local and regional railways in the UK, France, Germany and the Netherlands.
Here’s a taste of what we achieved, and how our impact continues.
COMMUNITY RAIL TAKES ROOT
We have helped the concept of community rail – established in the UK for more than 20 years – to take root across North West Europe.
In FRANCE, local residents have re-discovered Penhoët station thanks to storytelling events and free breakfast mornings.
In the NETHERLANDS, working groups of businesses and residents have helped plan improvements at local stations.
And in GERMANY, neighbourhoods in Aachen have been engaged, and school children have designed and carried out an artistic revamp of their station – making front page news in the city.
50% JUMP IN BURNLEY JOURNEYS
The new station building at Burnley Manchester Road and the marketing of its new direct train service to Manchester have seen journeys to and from the station soar by 50%, an increase of more than 10,000 journeys every month.
AN AWARD-WINNING PARTNERSHIP
Our partnership has won 10 awards:
Teamwork / Engagement / Innovation / Passengers / Young people
Service / Young people / Art schemes / Teamwork / Station garden
SAVING A STRUGGLING LINE
Through additional services, the innovative ‘Beach Train’ marketing concept and improvements to stations, we’ve helped rescue the La Roche – Bressuire line, previously blighted by infrequent trains and very low passenger numbers.
INTERCHANGE IS FIRST STEP
The new bus-train interchange at Nuth station is the first step in implementing a series of improvements at stations in Parkstad Limburg. All have been planned in partnership with the local community.
SPREADING THE WORD
We’ve shared our knowledge at regional, national and international events including the 2015 European Conference on Mobility Management.
FROM DOOM TO BLOOM:
REVITALISING THE RIVIERA LINE
DEC 2013
ADDITIONAL SERVICES BEGIN
Paignton to Newton Abbot
FEB 2014
DISASTER STRIKES
Huge storms devastate line
MAR 2014
VOLUNTEERS GET ACTIVE
Dawlish community helps revive station
APR 2014
RE-OPENING CELEBRATED
Marketing blitz spreads the word
SEP 2014
SCHOOLS ENGAGED
500 children given taster trips
MAY 2015
STATIONS IMPROVED
Shelters, ticket machines and more
SEP 2015
TRAIN SERVICE EXTENDED
Confirmation that twice hourly trains will continue
THE RESULT?
3 MILLION JOURNEYS MADE IN THE YEAR TO OCTOBER 2015, A 9% INCREASE ON 2013.
“The partners’ passion, innovation, experience and willingness to share has made this the most stimulating of the three European transport projects we’ve worked on.”
PAYS DE LA LOIRE REPRESENTATIVE
A GERMAN FIRST
Inspired by Citizens’ Rail, a dedicated community rail budget has been built into a pair of rail franchise contracts in Aachen – a first within Germany.
THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME
“The highlight of my teaching career” is how one teacher described our school trip to Aachen and Heerlen for Lancashire school children – many of whom had never travelled outside the UK before.
16 STATIONS IMPROVED
We’ve improved facilities at stations in each partner
country. Subsequent increases in patronage include:
25% TORRE, UK
44% LA MÉNITRÉ, FRANCE
PAIR OF LIVERIES
Thanks to Great Western Railway, branded Citizens’ Rail and Visit South Devon trains now travel the south west of the UK to spread our message.
PIONEERING STUDENT PROJECTS
Design students created an innovative concept to improve the visibility and perception of safety at Penhoet station in Pays de la Loire. Their vision is now being implemented.
Alongside this, our transnational masterclasses gave young people the chance to bring fresh thinking to the railway. UK rail operator GWR has already implemented the first of their ideas: adverts on the Wi-Fi welcome page of mainline trains to promote scenic branch lines.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
YOUR TOOLKIT
Take community involvement on your line to the next level. Explore our toolkit of ideas and inspiration from within the project and beyond. www.citizensrail.org/toolkit
YOUR COMMUNITY
Join our online network to meet our partners, get advice, share your expertise and discuss community rail matters large and small. www.communityrail.com
GET INVOLVED
Our partners are keen to continue working together, from informal meetups to looking at funding opportunities for future projects. Find out more: info@citizensrail.org
