COMMUNITY volunteers will be making rail travel more pleasant for passengers in North Yorkshire, with the launch of a Station Ambassador programme.

A number of volunteers, selected and trained by Grand Central Rail, will be on hand at stations in Thirsk and Northallerton on Sundays and some Bank Holidays, when stations are traditionally understaffed and the majority of rail engineering work happens.

The programme has already been run successfully over the last few years in Hartlepool, Eaglescliffe and Brighouse and will be run in association with train operator Trans Pennine Express in North Yorkshire.

Their role is to help passengers with enquiries about tickets, connections and local services, to ensure travellers board and disembark trains safely and provide a welcome to passengers.

One of those appointed, Chris Purser from Thirsk, said: “It has been fantastic to get to know the commuters who pass through the station and the reasons why they are visiting Thirsk. I hope I can assist them as much as possible in the near future.”

Richard McClean, managing director of Grand Central Rail, said they had seen a lot of support from the communities to support their local station and welcome visitors.

“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," he said.

"For the volunteering ambassadors, the programme presents a great way to contribute to the community they live in.”