Try a Train - GTR

Travelling by train can be a stressful experience for some people.  

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) brand hosts 'Try a Train' events, aimed to empower people to travel independently.

Each 'Try a Train' session is tailored to a specific group’s needs and requirements. This has included sessions with students who have learning needs, people with mobility difficulties and people with autism.

Sessions are also available to passengers who may encounter other barriers when travelling, such as senior citizens and non-English speakers.

Great Northern hosted 26 "Try a Train" groups in 2018 and 2019.

These sessions are aimed to give confidence to people who may find it difficult to use public transport, by showing them the key features of the station and travel process.

The sessions show the whole journey of taking a train and being at a railway station, from buying a ticket, using a ticket gate and looking at information boards to looking at station signs and identifying station facilities. Some groups choose to sample a train journey to a relevant destination to extend the experience.

These events can make a world of difference to people’s confidence and independence by encouraging public transport use.

We have chosen five of the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals as our areas of focus. The 'Try a Train' initiative shows our commitment to Goal 11 (Sustainable cities and communities) and ensuring that public transport is able to connect as many people as possible.