Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire Community Rail Partnership (GOCRP) recognised that despite being keen to travel via more sustainable means, young people still face a range of barriers restricting their access to public transport. To address this, and establish meaningful youth engagement across the region, GOCRP set up the Youth Transport Forum, providing a platform for young people to have their voices heard on transport.

Anyone aged 16-25 and based in Gloucestershire or Oxfordshire could apply to participate in the forum. Over four youth-led workshop sessions which involved research, debate and presentations, 11 delegates identified the key transport gaps, barriers and priorities for young people – accessibility, education and affordability. They then designed six innovative solutions that would address these challenges, including ideas on how to better integrate cycling and bus travel, and a comprehensive travel education curriculum.

GOCRP also put together a Youth Transport Survey based on insights from the forum sessions. Delegates submitted questions they wanted to include and GOCRP was thrilled to receive 913 responses from young people in the region.

The fantastic ideas from the forum sessions, as well as the data from the survey, were included in GOCRP’s 2025 Youth Transport Report, providing a comprehensive summary of the transport priorities for young people and the solutions they propose. The report was positively received by stakeholders and media outlets including BBC Radio Gloucestershire, and is already being used to influence change in the region, being referenced by key partners in conversations around youth transport access.

In response to an increase in youth trespass incidents around Darlington, Shildon and Newton Aycliffe during the school holidays, Bishop Line CRP engaged representatives from across the rail industry to design and deliver a two-day event aimed at improving awareness of rail safety and careers amongst young people.

In January 2025, rail safety assemblies were delivered to the entire Year 8 cohort (549 students) at four local schools. For the official event in February, a group of 120 students travelled by train to Locomotion in Shildon and took part in workshops exploring rail safety, careers and mental wellbeing. Sessions were delivered by 38 representatives from across the rail industry, including Network Rail, British Transport Police, The Railway Children, Northern, CrossCountry, TransPennine Express, LNER and CAF Rail. Students assessed their skills through the ‘My Skills, My Life’ audit and made links to relevant careers in rail, with the chance to meet industry representatives and local colleges at a careers fair held over the lunch break.

A post-event survey revealed that 97% of students said they had a better understanding of how to keep themselves safe around the railway, and 93% said they were more aware of the different training and career opportunities available across rail. Feedback from teachers and the industry partners involved also provided valuable insights into the success of the event and possible areas of improvement. As a result, the 2026 event will include an additional careers workshop as well as being opened up to Year 10 students.

Recognising that young carers face intense responsibilities at home, often limiting their ability to connect with peers and experience independence, New Forest CRP partnered with Community Action New Forest to deliver a project designed to offer respite and build life skills through inclusive, sustainable travel.

The project was completely youth-led, with the input of the group of 15 young carers, aged 14-18, shaping every aspect of the experience, from the destination to the pace of the day. Using train, bus and ferry, the young people – some of whom were using public transport for the first time – travelled to the Isle of Wight’s impressive Needles Park. On the journey, the group were supported by a South Western Railway Travel Ambassador, who delivered ‘travel with confidence’ guidance at every stage, from journey planning and understanding timetables to purchasing tickets and navigating station environments.

Once at their destination, the group explored the park, relaxed together and enjoyed time away from their caring responsibilities, including an exhilarating RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) ride on the water, an experience that brought joy, excitement and a genuine sense of freedom.

The outcomes were immediate and lasting. Supporting staff observed improved confidence and energy amongst the young people, who described the day as “happy”, “fun” and “like being a normal teenager”. Several of the young carers have since made plans for future travel by public transport, showing the profound impact that can be had for young people when they feel empowered to travel safely, confidently and independently.