Train operators “failing to support” family travel

A campaign group has reiterated its claims that “train operating companies across the UK are failing to support families with young children to travel by train”.

Describing the creation of family-friendly trains as “a priority route to attract more passengers”, Alice Delemare Tangpuori from the Campaign for Family-Friendly Trains (CFFT) said it was “unacceptable that a large contingent are effectively excluded from train travel”.

It follows the publication of a new ‘scorecard’ that rated no operator higher than 3.5 out of eight. Only five companies Transport for London (the highestranked), c2c, LNER, Merseyrail and Govia Thameslink Railway - scored above two out of eight points. Of the country’s 23 train operating companies (TOCs), CFFT said that ten failed to respond.

The scorecard was generated from a questionnaire sent to TOCs in January (RAIL 950), plus follow-up emails.

Operators were assessed on the availability of dedicated space for unfolded pushchairs, stepfree access, level boarding and assistance available for boarding the train, plus the accessibility and quality of information available for families.

According to the group, this is the first research to rate train operators from the perspective of passengers travelling with young children.

“The findings will come as no surprise to many parents who have journeyed with young children on UK trains,” said Delemare Tangpuori.

“We hope this annual scorecard encourages train operating companies to continue to go the distance for families travelling on their services. As leisure and discretionary travel becomes more important for the railways, creating family-friendly trains must be a priority route to attract more passengers.

“The railways should reflect our values and be open to all.

It is unacceptable that a large contingent are effectively excluded from train travel.”

Set up by what it describes as “frustrated parents who had had disappointing experiences travelling on Britain’s railway with young children”, CFFT is calling for:

Dedicated space for unfolded prams to be created on trains (and extension of reservations to cover such space).

Extending passenger assistance to families travelling with young children.

Having “clean, reliable and spacious toilets with toddler toilet seats”.

Level access between trains, platforms and station entrances.

Responding to CFFT’s findings, Rail Delivery Group Chief Executive Officer Jacqueline Starr said: “We want everyone to be able to benefit from travelling by train because it’s more than just a journey, it’s a way to connect families to each other and the places they love.

“We value Campaign for FamilyFriendly Trains’ feedback and are in frequent conversation with them and with government officials. We want to make the railway more accessible to all, and we’re reviewing what changes we could make in the short term to improve journeys for families.”

A TfL Rail Class 345 Aventra approaches Twyford station on March 3 2021, with a London Paddington-Reading service. The operator has been ranked highest on the first scorecard to be published by the Campaign for Family-Friendly Trains.