Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris has today (22nd Sept) thanked ‘Journey Makers’ volunteers whilst visiting Norwich Rail Station and seen first hand the new deep cleaning equipment in use by Greater Anglia.
Mr Heaton-Harris met Greater Anglia staff at Norwich station to launch a new line of deep cleaning equipment as part of its enhanced train cleaning scheme.
Spot-check scanners, disinfecting fogging guns and powerful vacuum cleaners, used to clean both the air and surfaces, were demonstrated by the train presentation team, showcasing the huge efforts to create a safe environment for passengers.
As more passengers begin to return to the railway, it is key that operators continue their rigorous cleaning regimes at stations, platforms and on carriages.
This scheme builds on rigorous cleaning measures already in place across the rail network, including the implementation of a hospital grade antiviral spray used regularly onto touchpoint and hygiene areas which provides additional protection to customers.
The ‘Journey Makers’ project was announced in May 2020, which DfT is delivering with the national charity Volunteering Matters, to deploy hundreds of volunteers to stations across the country, supporting the current transport staff to welcome passengers and help them travel confidently and safety across the network.
‘Journey Makers’ are trained to offer reassurance, advice and friendly assistance to passengers around transport hubs. The volunteers will help to deliver a constant flow of people around stations, preventing overcrowding and queues.
Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris said: “As the network becomes busier, the Journey Makers scheme is going to be an invaluable part of passenger safety, complementing existing staff and preventing stations from becoming congested and overcrowded.
“I am thankful to Volunteering Matters and all our Journey Makers, who are providing a crucial service that will be even more vital as footfall at stations continues to increase.
“The huge efforts by rail operators including Greater Anglia to deliver comprehensive cleaning measures across the network will also ensure that trains and stations are regularly sanitised, meaning passengers feel confident when travelling.”
Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia managing director said: “We’re doing everything we can to keep our customers safe while travelling with us, including investing in new powerful cleaning equipment, such as fogging guns which spray a mist of disinfectant onto all surfaces, vacuum cleaners which clean the air as well as the floor, and hygiene monitoring equipment to improve the efficiency of our cleaning routines.
“We’re also taking on extra cleaners as we’ve stepped up our cleaning paying special attention to high touch areas such as push buttons, door handles and grab rails.”
Stephen Skeet from Volunteering Matters said: “We have been delighted to support the Department for Transport in efforts to rebuild public confidence to travel safely through the Journey Makers Scheme. Across England, our volunteers are at transport hubs providing passengers with reassurance, a friendly face and ensuring they understand new arrangements for accessing stations.”
“It has been brilliant for volunteers to support their local communities in a safe way at this time, meet new people while social distancing, and helping travellers go to work safely.”
