A scheme to keep people safe while travelling on the rail network has been relaunched.
Rail Pastor volunteers will patrol platforms and carriages looking for anyone who is vulnerable, distressed or in need of some assistance.
But it has drawn the ire of a trade union that represents train staff, who say plans to remove train staff and instead rely on volunteers “directly jeopardises safety”.
The service recommenced on the train line in Inverclyde, Paisley and Fife on June 29 after an absence of nearly three years.
The initiative is run by the Ascension Trust (Scotland), the British Transport Police, the Samaritans and Scotland’s Railway, and is made up of trained volunteers from local churches.
Since 2014, volunteer pastors have been patrolling sections of the railway in the UK.
They assist people who aren’t confident travelling alone, require first aid or who are suffering from more serious problems such as poor mental health. They can identify and support those who require further assistance to get home or to a place of safety.
The team of 18 volunteers will travel on trains and visit stations on ScotRail services both during the day and at night ready to help anyone in need.
Chris Jewell, chief executive of Ascension Trust (Scotland), said: “We are delighted to be going back out on the trains and being of help with a listening and caring ear. We know that travellers on the trains feel safer when we are out in our sky blue uniforms and we look forward to our trained volunteers being of service once again while we look to expand what we do with the help of our partners Network Rail, ScotRail and British Transport Police.”
Allan Brooking, community safety manager for Network Rail, said: “We continually strive to make our rail network a safe place for all our passengers and local communities and we’re incredibly pleased to welcome rail pastors back to the railway.
“The Rail Pastor initiative aims to keep people safe and we’re extremely grateful to them for volunteering their time to care for others.”
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