As a prominent long-distance passenger train operator, CrossCountry plays a vital role in the rail landscape, providing an impressive 240 services each weekday. This extensive network translates to more than 42 million passenger journeys annually, highlighting their dedication to connecting people across the country while ensuring a safe and efficient travel experience. Their involvement in the Rail Safe Friendly Programme further enhances their mission to prioritise safety and community engagement, a commitment recognised by their status as a gold partner for the past year.
This collaboration highlights CrossCountry’s dedication to instilling safety awareness among younger audiences, nurturing a culture of responsibility and understanding regarding railway safety. Since the inception of this partnership, they have successfully reached 63,735 young individuals across 150 sponsored schools. It is remarkable to see such a significant impact achieved in just twelve months.
The social value generated by CrossCountry through partnering with the Rail Safe Friendly programme amounts to £1,802,425.80. This impressive figure highlights the positive impact of the collaborative programme. Alex Bray, Stakeholder Liaison Manager at CrossCountry highlighted the importance of the Rail Safe Friendly Programme in tackling critical rail safety issues:
“The Rail Safe Friendly Programme has played a crucial role in addressing the pressing issues surrounding rail safety. We have identified several hotspots where incidents are prevalent, particularly noting a troubling rise in trespassing among young people. It is imperative that we convey the seriousness of these actions to them as this behaviour is neither fun nor clever. Trespassing poses significant risks not only to the individuals involved but also disrupts the entire railway system, affecting countless others who rely on safe and efficient train services.”
Alex further explained how the programme has improved their outreach capabilities:
“Reaching out to individuals and communities has always been a challenge for us, but this programme has significantly enhanced our ability to connect. It serves as an excellent platform for sharing vital information about rail safety while fostering collaboration within the industry. By working together with various stakeholders, we can strengthen our outreach efforts and ultimately contribute to saving lives.”
The Rail Safe Friendly programme is growing in both scope and impact, thanks to support from partners such as CrossCountry. The programme highlights the crucial importance of rail safety education in safeguarding the well-being of future generations.
Stuart Heaton, Managing Director of Learn Live and Rail Safe Friendly, emphasised the significance of their support:
“Our partnership with CrossCountry is enhancing rail safety awareness for young people and we truly appreciate their continued support for this essential programme.”
Rail Safe Friendly is also launching ‘Parent Day’ during Rail Safety Week in June. CrossCountry will support this initiative by encouraging their employees to take a free downloadable postcard into their local schools, further amplifying the message of rail safety to families within their communities.
