A SCHEME to help keep people safe on the railway in Inverclyde is back on track for the first time since the pandemic.

The rail pastors service is returning to keep vulnerable people safe and save lives.

Volunteers will again be patrolling platforms and trains here, plus Paisley and Fife.

The scheme has returned after an absence of nearly three years.

The initiative is run by the Ascension Trust (Scotland), the British Transport Police, the Samaritans and Scotland’s Railway, and is made up of trained volunteers from local churches.

Greenock Telegraph:

Since 2014, volunteer pastors have been patrolling sections of the railway in the UK looking for anyone who is vulnerable, distressed or in need of some assistance.

Volunteers will be active on the Port Glasgow-Wemyss Bay line route tomorrow evening to support people.

They assist people who aren’t confident travelling alone, require first aid or who are suffering from more serious problems such as poor mental health. They can identify and support those who require further assistance to get home or to a place of safety.

The team of 18 volunteers will travel on trains and visit stations on ScotRail services both during the day and at night ready to help anyone in need.

Greenock man Chris Jewell, chief executive of Ascension Trust (Scotland), said: “At Ascension Trust Scotland, a Christian Scottish charity which enables and encourages street, rail, school and response pastors throughout Scotland, we are delighted to be going back out on the trains and being of help with a listening and caring ear.

"We know that travellers on the trains feel safer when we are out in our sky blue uniforms and we look forward to our trained volunteers being of service once again while we look to expand what we do with the help of our partners Network Rail, ScotRail and British Transport Police."

Allan Brooking, community safety manager for Network Rail, said: “We continually strive to make our rail network a safe place for all our passengers and local communities and we’re incredibly pleased to welcome rail pastors back to the railway.

"The Rail Pastor initiative aims to keep people safe and we’re extremely grateful to them for volunteering their time to care for others.”

Ros Houldsworth, ScotRail community liaison executive, said: “It’s great to see the return of the Rail Pastors to Scotland’s railway.

“These volunteers provide an additional reassuring presence at our stations and on our trains by engaging with, listening to, and helping vulnerable passengers.”