Try a Train event for people with special educational needs and disabilities

A photograph showing a train moving past at speed. It is blurred from the motion.

Our Travel Trainers held a special Try a Train event for young people and adults with special educational needs and disabilities.

The event, which was provided as part of the Essex Travel Training Service commissioned by Suffolk County Council, took place at Ipswich Station

Attendees were shown how to buy a ticket, use the ticket barrier, and how to stay safe at a train station. Travel Trainers also guided the students through booking assistance and how to find customer service. 

The event was designed to help ease concerns the group had around using public transport. They practiced skills such as listening to station announcements, speaking to ticket conductors and learning who to ask for help. The return journey to Felixstowe also gave them the opportunity to explore the town. 

Students praised how interesting the day was and how safe they were made to feel.

Find out more about the day and hear from students in this short video: 

Theresa Salmon, Travel Training Manager, said: “We are very grateful to the East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership and Greater Anglia for supporting this event and to all Greater Anglia staff who were involved. We would also like to thank Suffolk County Council for commissioning the  Essex Travel Training service for its residents.”

Since the Travel Training scheme started it has enabled over 700 young people and adults in Suffolk to become independent travellers.

Find out more or apply for Travel Training.