Published on: Friday, 9 November 2012
Last updated: Wednesday, 5 October 2016
The Norfolk Community Rail Partnership received a ‘Highly Commended’ award at the international UIC Sustainability Awards held in Venice on 26 October.
The Partnership, which works with train operator, Greater Anglia, to promote and improve services on the Norwich – Sheringham Bittern line and Norwich – Great Yarmouth / Lowestoft Wherry Lines received the accolade in the Sustainable Mobility Category for the development of its pioneering mobile phone app.
The app, launched in June 2012, aims to promote the Norwich to Great Yarmouth / Lowestoft (Wherry Lines) and Norwich to Sheringham (Bittern Line) CRPs, as well as giving up-to-the-minute travel information. The Norfolk CRPs are the first rail partnerships on the UK rail network to introduce such an app.
The app provides access to real time bus and train information for each Bittern & Wherry Lines station and visitor information too. Users of the app can access maps, a journey planner, information on tourist attractions and accommodation, plus details of local cycling and walking routes.
The development of the app was supported by train operator Greater Anglia, Norfolk County Council, Broadland District Council, North Norfolk District Council and the Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP).
Jonathan Denby, Greater Anglia’s Head of Corporate Affairs and chair of Community Rail Norfolk said: “I’m delighted that the pioneering work of our local rail lines in Norfolk has received international attention. This ground-breaking phone app provides an innovative, coordinated and accessible way to promote the region and make key information available to visitors. It is a handy, one-stop shop for up-to-date, essential travel and tourist information about Norfolk.”
The third edition of the UIC Sustainability Awards was held on 26th October at the 12th UIC Sustainability Conference, organised jointly by the International Union of Railways (UIC) and Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane. Awards were given in four categories: Sustainable Mobility, Energy and CO2, Sustainable Land Use and the Jury’s Special Prize.
The aim of the Awards is to put the spotlight on and reward excellence to ground breaking projects and the significant efforts made within the rail sector to continuously improve its sustainability performance.