Train overcrowding and complex ticketing could be abolished, customer experience improved, and fares cut under radical ideas from Virgin Trains to overhaul the UK’s rail industry.

Rail passengers will save around a billion pounds in fares thanks to a price-guarantee app being developed by Virgin Trains.

Two major tech innovations developed by Virgin Trains to improve customer service at times of major disruption – ‘Back on Track’ and ‘Track ‘n Travel’ – are set to change the industry.

Virgin Trains customers can now secure a last-minute upgrade thanks to a collaboration with Seatfrog, an app which lets users take part in an auction for seats in First Class.

Virgin Trains has revealed figures for record journeys taken on its Blackpool route one year after introducing electric Pendolino services, which strengthened connections to and from the resort.

Network Rail are carrying out improvement works on the West Coast Main Line at Acton Grange (between Crewe and Warrington Bank Quay) for 16 days between 20 July – 4 August. During this time there will be changes to Virgin Trains services between London and Scotland – with journeys taking longer and services across other routes expected to be busier than usual.

Community Rail Lancashire is excited to continue our work with Virgin Trains; with a focus on our inclusive employment opportunity, ‘On Track to Train’, giving underrepresented groups in rail the chance to explore rail careers. We are also delighted to be working with them across our LGBT+ inclusion project, ‘Ticket to Pride’, engaging young LGBT+ people across the north, and with ‘Park View 4U’ and ‘Grans on the Make’, creating a wonderful bee-conservation project. We would also like to thank Virgin for their continued support with travel for our team members.

The Mid Cheshire Line’s “Marvellous Days Out” Exhibition came to Stockport Station in May.  The Mid Cheshire Line runs from Chester-Delamere Forest-Northwich-Knutsford-Altrincham-Stockport-Manchester Piccadilly.

The Exhibition showcases all the posters created for the “Marvellous Days Out” Campaign in the platform 3 “lock up”.  As well as viewing the posters, the many visitors take away copies of the Marvellous Days Out, Amazing Women by Rail and Along Mid Cheshire Lines publications.

John Oates, Chair of the Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership says: “This is a further example of excellent co-operation between partners along the Line”.

The Exhibition moves to Northwich in mid-July.

Transport for Wales has launched a new Community Rail Strategy. The vision will see new Community Rail Partnerships set up across the entire Wales and Border network to promote and encourage rail use in communities.

More than £600,000 will be invested every single year, with 22 new community ambassador roles created alongside marketing roles which will focus on promoting regional tourism and local economic growth.

Melanie Lawton, Community Rail Officer for the Conwy Valley Partnership, said: “The Conwy Valley Railway will see refurbished 230 units on the line and greater promotion to help people get the most from their railway.”

Working with Virgin Trains, Community Rail Cumbria recently held a Railway Day at Carlisle station, offering members of the public a unique insight into the railway in Cumbria.

The Carlisle Railway Day followed the success of a similar event last year bringing together industry partners, local businesses and community groups to celebrate the region’s railway and raise money for Virgin Trains’ charity partner, Rethink Mental Illness.