Penistone Line Partnership, established in 1993, is a voluntary organisation and a member of the Community Rail Network, supported by the DFT (Department for Transport). Partnerships work to improve their community lines, stations, and services.

Penistone Line Partnership works with Train Operating Companies (Northern, East Midlands Railway, Cross Country, and Trans Pennine Express), Network Rail, local councils, and stakeholders.

Community Rail is a grassroots movement that started in the late 1990s to address the decline of branch lines. The movement has grown significantly and is now overseen by the Community Rail Network (CRN), which manages over 80 Community Rail Partnerships and over 1,200 station adoption groups offering support and training, as well as organising the annual Community Rail Awards. The Community Rail Network also administers the Community Rail Development Fund and ensures accreditation of partnerships is completed on behalf of the Department for Transport.

We work in partnership with Huddersfield, Penistone, and Sheffield Rail User Association (HPSRUA).

We aim to focus on four outcomes aligned with the Department for Transport Strategy :

1. 1. A Strong Community Voice
   2. Increased sustainable travel
   3. Inclusivity and access to the railway
   4. Growth in local tourism and economic benefits

The Community Rail Development Strategy, published by the Department for Transport in 2018, is intended to help rural and local railways onto a more sustainable financial footing. Railways as a whole consume a large amount of public funding, and it is essential to demonstrate value for money. We aim to significantly increase the number of passengers using the line while decreasing reliance on government subsidies. The role of Community Rail has never been more important. Giving passengers and other stakeholders a platform to express their needs to the rail industry.

Around 10,200 volunteers contribute about 470,000 hours of work each year to the national community rail network, bringing in approximately £3.4 million extra value to the rail industry.

Penistone Line Partnership follows a CODE of CONDUCT

Community Rail Network also manages and promotes the Scenic Rail Britain website, which highlights all of Britain’s stunning community railways.