Penistone Line Partnership, established in 1993 is a voluntary organisation, part 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 organisations such as stakeholders and rail user groups.

Working alongside our partners our aim is to:

• Engage with local communities to improve the stations
• Increase passenger numbers
• Help economic & social development
• Promote diversity, equality and inclusion
• Encourage a sustainable travel option for all.

Community Rail is a grassroots movement which 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) who manages over 70 Community Rail Partnerships and over 1,000 station adoption groups offering support and training, as well as organising the annual Community Rail Awards. The Community Rail Network also administer the Community Rail Development Fund and ensure accreditation of partnerships is completed on behalf of the Department for Transport.

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 3,200 volunteers contribute about 250,000 hours of work each year to the national community rail network, bringing in approximately £3.4 million extra value to the rail industry.

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

The Penistone Line has received accreditation since 2020; this means that the partnership has met the Department for Transport’s standards for appropriate operation. The accreditation system for community rail partnerships in England and Wales commenced in April 2019 and is reviewed on an annual basis.