Try a Train days get back on track with c2c

30 June 2022: Trenitalia-owned train operator c2c has run its first ‘Try a Train’ event in more than two years, designed to empower young people with disabilities to travel independently as part of its commitment to making the railway accessible to all.  

Following a two year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic, approximately 20 pupils from South Essex college USP (Unified Seevic Palmers) joined the c2c team on a train journey from Benfleet to Shoeburyness. The event was organised with Essex County Council to help introduce young people with a range of disabilities to the practicalities and ease of train travel and to give them the confidence to travel safely and independently.

On arrival at Benfleet station, the students were given a tour of the station, including timetable boards, car parking and options for onward travel, as well as an overview of ticketing options and sources of customer information. They then met the station team before heading off on their journey for an afternoon by the seaside in Shoeburyness. 

Essex County Council’s Travel Trainer Manager, Jonathan Bloomfield, said: “The Travel Training Team want to say a huge thank you to c2c for hosting the first Try A Train day since 2019. It was amazing to see a group of young future rail travellers experiencing rail travel in some cases for the first time with the support and guidance of both the Travel Training team and c2c. Without these events young people with visible and hidden disabilities may not have the confidence to travel independently. Fantastic days like these can make such a huge difference to a young person’s life.”

c2c Managing Director, Rob Mullen, said: “I’m so pleased that we’re running these very important sessions again and it was great to hear how much the students enjoyed the day. We hope events such as these will help inspire those with disabilities to feel confident when travelling by train; we’re working hard with our teams to make it easier for passengers who may need a helping hand when travelling with us. The Try a Train programme is an important part of our commitment to accessible travel on the c2c network.”

The c2c team produced a short film documenting the students’ day out to the seaside, check it out here:

Image attached: Students enjoy their Try a Train Day at Benfleet station.

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NOTES TO EDITORS

About c2c

c2c is the award-winning train operator running services between Fenchurch Street and Shoeburyness, serving 26 stations in East London and South Essex. Owned by Trenitalia, c2c is one of the UK’s most punctual and popular train operators and nearly 48 million journeys are made on our services every year.

Italian-based Trenitalia is one of Europe’s leading rail operators and the passenger rail arm of FS Italiane Group.

For more information email mediaenquiries@c2crail.net