Hop on the R U OK? train to Dubbo!

A bright yellow XPT adorned with ‘R U OK?’ messages, will depart from Sydney’s Central Station on R U OK?Day , Thursday 14 September. The Sydney to Dubbo XPT in special livery will encourage commuters to check in with one another and ask the question “are you ok?”

The R U OK? train has been brought to life courtesy of NSW TrainLink, in partnership with the TrackSAFE Foundation, Sydney Trains and suicide prevention charity, R U OK?

According to TrackSAFE’s Executive Director, Naomi Frauenfelder, the conversation train is an ideal mechanism for promoting the initiative to both the community and the rail industry.

“We’re excited for a transportable ‘R U OK? message’ to move across the states and through our regional towns by rail; the wrapped XPT acts as a moving billboard helping to get the ‘R U OK?’ message into the community reminding us all to have regular and meaningful conversations with others. Not only this, the ‘conversation train’ acts as a reminder to rail staff to reach out to a co-worker who might need some extra support. The rail industry celebrates its own, industry specific R U OK?Day in April each year, so this conversation train helps keep the message alive all year round,” said Ms Frauenfelder.

The journey to Dubbo and back to Sydney will take just over six hours each way allowing ample time for people to turn to the person next them and ask if they’re doing ok. After departing Central, the train will travel across western Sydney in peak hour before making stops along the way at towns such as Bathurst, Orange and Wellington.

R U OK CEO Brendan Maher said, “We are thrilled to have the support of NSWTrainLink on our biggest day of the year,

“What a great show of support to help take our messaging – along with R U OK Ambassador and former Dubbo NRL player Daniel Conn – out to regional townships where we’ve been rolling out the four steps to a conversation, the last six weeks as part of our Conversation Convoy,” Mr Maher said.

NSW TrainLink Chief Operating Officer Pete Allaway said they are pleased to be a part of the initiative, “NSW TrainLink is proud to be able to take this important message to communities and encourage people to ask family, friends and colleagues R U OK?,

“In an industry where staff sometimes witness tragic incidents, we know the importance of looking out for the people around us who might be struggling and taking the opportunity to have meaningful conversations.

“As well as today’s trips between Sydney and Dubbo, the special bright yellow locomotive will continue to take the RUOK? message around south-eastern Australia as it operates across our New South Wales network and to Brisbane and Melbourne,” Mr Allaway said.

Media event:

A number of community members, commuters, rail staff and R U OK Ambassadors will gather at Platform 6 at Central Station for a media event, in time for the XPT’s send off at 7.18am .

Where: Platform 6, Central Station, Sydney, (Sydney to Dubbo XPT).

When: Thursday 14 September, R U OK?Day

Time : 7.00am media launch on the platform – XPT departs at 7.18am

Who: Daniel Conn former NRL player and R U OK? Ambassador, Pete Allaway Chief Operating Officer NSW TrainLink, Howard Collins Chief Executive Sydney Trains, Naomi Frauenfelder Executive Director TrackSAFE Foundation.

Notes to Editor:

TrackSAFE Foundation

The TrackSAFE Foundation was established by the Australian rail industry to reduce near collisions, injuries and fatalities on the rail network resulting from suicide and reckless behaviour. By doing so, TrackSAFE aims to create a better workplace for rail employees. tracksafefoundation.com.au

R U OK?
R U OK? is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with people around them and support anyone struggling with life. R U OK? Day is a national day of action, held on the second Thursday of September each year. September 14, 2017. But every day is the day to start a conversation. Conversation tips and crisis numbers can be found at ruok.org.au

NSW TrainLink

NSW TrainLink provides intercity, regional and interstate rail and coach services, connecting customers across New South Wales, into southern Queensland to Brisbane, as well as through northern Victoria to Melbourne. nsw trainlink.info

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Media Contacts

R U OK? | Lisa Minner

0421 623 387 | [email protected]

NSWTrainLink | Peter Leate

0428 519 924 | [email protected]

TrackSAFE | Sara Ross

0 402 419 962 | E [email protected]