The Bishop Line Community Rail Partnership is giving passengers free ‘friendly’ face coverings at Bishop Auckland Station.
The partnership said as lockdown eases and people are vaccinated against Covid-19, passenger numbers on the Bishop Line are starting to rise.
It said some people may find the return to train travel daunting, so it is urging other passengers to make everyone’s journey as friendly and comfortable as possible.
Felicity Machnicki, officer for the Bishop Line Community Rail Partnership and mental health first aider at Darlington Borough Council, said: “Bishop Line friendly face coverings are available free of charge to passengers to help pass on a smile to people returning to the railway.