Passenger growth, creativity and community rail – opportunities for the bus industry

What is Community Rail? Community Rail (CR) involves local people in the development and promotion of local and rural routes, services and stations. It also encourages the community to get directly involved improving the railway environment through use of redundant buildings, provision of additional services such as cafes and the improvement of railway land. In most respects, community rail routes are no different from the rest of the railway. http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/983.aspx

Community Rail Principles: Can Do, Innovative Expert in Creative Partnership working Imaginative promotion & marketing Growing patronage Aiding local economic growth Reducing costs Volunteer/Community involvement

Community rail lines and services are part of the commercial rail network accounting for around 40 million journeys per year.

Community railways aim to: Increase revenue Reduce costs Increase community involvement Support social and economic development

Support is usually provided through a Community Rail Partnership (CRP) comprising the railway operator, local councils and other community organisations. Around 4,000 volunteers work in community rail contributing over 1.2 million hours of work, bringing around £27 million of extra value to the rail industry. Research has shown that for every £1 invested in a CRP it can bring £4.60 in benefits. https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/expanding-and-improving-the-rail-network/supporting-pages/community-rail

Quality Bus Partnerships Community Bus Partnerships??

How might CR work in the bus world? (1) Look at routes that need more passengers Encourage volunteers to take an interest in a local route On bus activities – music, poetry, local info Promoting area along route – walks, pubs, shops, cafes,places of interest etc

How might CR work in the bus world? (2) Getting schools involved, posters at bus stops & stations & on buses, school trips Utilising local rail expertise to link rail & bus – integrated transport! Social media Enthusiastic bus operator & bus staff

Re-imagine the bus world – with a can-do attitude and the community on side ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE Forget big budgets this is about creative partnership working Mid Cheshire Rail Line – 164% growth in passengers over 10 years

A Community Rail Bus initiative “The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.” Molière “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” Marcel Proust

For further information contact: Sally Buttifant, Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership Tel: 0773 652 3863, email: railofficer@midcheshirerail.org.uk