Grand Central Rail is investing in its Yorkshire stations
Posted: 9 March 2017 | | No comments yet
To help make stations a friendlier and safer environment, train operator Grand Central Rail is investing in its fleet and the community in 2017 to improve the capacity and comfort of its services.
Thirsk ambassadors: Mo Penson, Chris Purser and Leanne Todd
To help make stations a friendlier and safer environment, train operator Grand Central Rail is investing in its fleet and the community in 2017 to improve the capacity and comfort of its services.
In January, Grand Central expanded its award-winning Station Ambassador programme, which saw Thirsk and Northallerton Railway Stations benefit from the scheme. The programme builds on Grand Central’s ongoing commitment to invest in great passenger experience. The Station Ambassador programme at Thirsk and Northallerton is in association with train operator TransPennine Express.
As part of the programme, a selection of community volunteers are on-hand at participating stations on Sundays and occasionally Bank Holidays when stations are traditionally unstaffed and the majority of rail engineering work occurs. Their role is to assist passengers with enquiries, and ensure they board and disembark trains safely and efficiently, whilst providing a friendly welcome to passengers, making their journeys more enjoyable.
The extension of the programme at Thirsk and Northallerton is part of a series of Ambassador Programmes due to launch across Grand Central’s routes this year.
Wakefield Kirkgate station and its First Class lounge
Investment is high on the agenda for Grand Central in 2017, as it will open its first First Class lounge at the Wakefield Kirkgate station. The launch, due to take place in March, is part of the company’s ongoing support for the transformation of the station and is the latest phase in the station’s wider £5.6 million regeneration, led by Groundworks.
The new lounge has been tastefully furnished and has been designed to provide a welcoming customer experience to all First Class ticket holders. With interior design by Yorkshire designer, Samantha Beeley of Design and Concepts, the lounge also showcases dramatic wall art by local street artist Gatch.
Grand Central’s First Class Lounge
Fully-equipped with power sockets, USB ports, free WiFi and task lighting, the exclusive lounge can accommodate at least 24 people and provides a number of areas for passengers to relax in, as well as offering business travellers a dedicated space to work on the go.
Grand Central also recently revealed the refurbishment of the underpass at Wakefield Kirkgate. Featuring designs by Yorkshire artist, Ashley Jackson, it is one of the UK’s first permanent art shows in a railway subway.
Further investments
In addition to these investments, Grand Central will be expanding its fleet to 10 trains, boosting capacity and enabling the train operator to provide more services and additional destinations along its routes, including Low Moor Station. Launching later this year the brand new station will improve links with the capital for the immediate community. The station is conveniently situated, near to the M62 motorway, allowing better connectivity and greater accessibility via free all day parking.
Grand Central is also investing £10million to fully refresh its train fleet. The refurbishment project will see the interiors, including new seat covers, on-board signage and tables in keep with the Grand Central branding of black and orange.
Richard McClean, Managing Director of Grand Central Rail, said: “As we approach our tenth birthday this year, we continue to show our commitment and dedication to customer experience and these investments enable us to secure the high standards we provide for the future.
“The communities along our routes are at the heart of our business. We have listened to our passengers and we have ensured that our investment goes beyond just our fleet and right into the communities for the benefit of local passengers.
“The communities along our routes are at the heart of our business”
“We are starting our investments early to get a head start on improvements for passengers. With refurbishments to our current fleet, along with building on our previous station investments, including Wakefield Kirkgate, we are driven to improve passenger experience, making it easier for passengers to get to and from the train.
“Our Station Ambassador scheme grew out of our desire to have a staff presence on the stations we serve to make rail travel easier and more accessible for local people and visitors to see the area. For the volunteering ambassadors, the programme presents a great way to contribute to the community they live in.”
“We are driven to improve passenger experience, making it easier for passengers to get to and from the train”
Grand Central topped the Autumn 2016 National Rail Passenger Survey with a satisfaction score of 91% and it was Britain’s highest-rated long distance operator in the UK in the 2017 Which? magazine Train Satisfaction Survey. For further information on Grand Central visit www.grandcentralrail.com.
