Prepare young people for travelling alone

We would always prefer children and young people to be accompanied by a responsible adult when travelling on the railway, but we realise there may be times when your child has to travel alone or with a group of friends.

The railway can be a dangerous place. You can help to prepare them. Talk to them before their journey about how to stay safe on and near the railway and what to do in an emergency.

Planning ahead

• Write down or text them details of their departure and arrival stations, train times and who will meet them.
• Make sure their phone is fully charged and they know who to call in an emergency.
• Save the British Transport Police text number 61016 in their phone and explain that they can text the police if they need help on their journey.
• Tell them to always call 999 in an emergency.
• Teach them how to use help points at stations or on platforms before their journey.

Safety rules

Tell them to:

• stick together and look out for each other if they are in a group
• keep away from the platform edge
• never touch, walk along or take a shortcut over train tracks
• listen carefully to station or on-board announcements and follow any instructions
• find and talk to a member of rail staff or a police officer if they need help on a train or station.