Sunday, June 22, 2025

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), the UK’s largest train operator, is using Rail Safety Week (June 16-22, 2025) to raise awareness about the importance of buggy safety at train stations. In a bid to prevent accidents involving young children, the company has released CCTV footage showing incidents that highlight the risks posed when traveling with buggies. These incidents occurred at several busy stations, including Portslade, South Croydon, and Gatwick Airport, and have prompted GTR to remind families of the safety precautions needed to avoid accidents while traveling with children.

The CCTV footage shows worrying scenes, such as empty pushchairs rolling onto the tracks at Portslade and South Croydon stations, as well as a parent losing balance while exiting a train with a buggy at Gatwick Airport station. Fortunately, none of these incidents resulted in serious injuries, but the footage underscores how dangerous such situations can become. In 2023, GTR recorded 13 incidents involving children when boarding and alighting trains, while the previous year saw 36 incidents. Though these numbers indicate a reduction, GTR has reported a steady increase in such incidents during the first quarter of this year, particularly as families travel more frequently over the summer months.

According to GTR, the most common cause of accidents when boarding or alighting trains is parents and carers attempting to exit the train forwards, causing buggy wheels to become caught in the gap between the train and platform. The second most frequent cause is insufficient supervision of children as they step on or off the train. GTR is urging passengers to always be vigilant, particularly when traveling with young children in buggies.

To support its safety campaign during Rail Safety Week, GTR is also distributing 840 copies of “Arlo’s Adventure Rail Safety” books to stations with the highest number of incidents. The books are designed to educate children and their families on how to travel safely on trains and are being given out at major stations, including Gatwick Airport, London Victoria, East Croydon, and London Blackfriars, as well as other locations with high traffic from families.

Samantha Facey, Health, Safety, and Security Director at GTR, said, “We know how challenging travelling with young children can be, and we want to help families feel safe and supported every step of the journey. These incidents are a reminder of how important it is to stay vigilant—especially when using buggies on platforms or getting on and off trains. We’re asking everyone traveling with little ones to take a moment to plan ahead, hold on tight, and use the wide gates where possible. A little extra care can go a long way in keeping you and your children safe.”

As part of the awareness campaign, GTR is reminding all parents and carers to follow key safety precautions when traveling with children and buggies. These include:

These steps are part of GTR’s broader efforts to reduce accidents and improve safety for all passengers, especially families traveling with young children.

Traveling with children on public transport can be challenging, especially during busy travel times. GTR recognizes the stress that families can experience when using trains, especially when managing buggies. The company’s safety campaign aims to ease these difficulties by providing clear guidance on how to navigate train stations and platforms safely, reducing the risks of accidents.

The stations where the 840 “Arlo’s Adventure Rail Safety” books will be distributed include key hubs such as Gatwick Airport, Victoria, East Croydon, and London Blackfriars. These locations are among the busiest for families, and GTR hopes that the distribution of safety resources will help increase awareness and promote safe travel habits.

This initiative is part of GTR’s wider commitment to improving safety and promoting sustainable travel on the UK’s railways. With the increase in family travel, particularly during the summer months, GTR is encouraging passengers to plan ahead, follow safety guidelines, and make use of the wide aisle gates available at stations to make travel smoother and safer for everyone.

GTR’s Rail Safety Week campaign not only highlights the importance of safety during the busy summer season but also serves as a reminder to passengers of the risks that can arise when safety measures are not followed. By educating families and providing practical resources, GTR aims to ensure that train journeys are as safe as possible for parents and children alike.

As the summer travel season approaches, GTR’s safety campaign is more important than ever. The release of CCTV footage and distribution of safety books is a proactive approach to reducing the number of accidents involving children on the rail network. Through continued awareness and cooperation from passengers, GTR hopes to see fewer incidents and ensure safer journeys for families across the UK’s train stations.