Lumo and Hull Trains sign up to new Purpose Coalition partnership to boost social impact
A new partnership was announced today as Open Access train companies Lumo and Hull Trains joined forces with the Purpose Coalition to focus on their social impact.
As part of their work, the companies will develop an Impact Report to assess their current social impact and explore how they can go even further in delivering opportunity for their colleagues, their customers and the communities they serve.
Lumo and Hull Trains are open access train operators - privately financed companies set up to offer passengers a better deal on their railway journeys. Lumo was launched in 2021 on the London to Edinburgh route, pledging to reimagine rail with affordable ticket options, greener trains and an all-inclusive approach with customer satisfaction at its heart. In the same year, Hull Trains, the first open access rail train operator in the UK, celebrated its 21st anniversary. It is a well-established and respected company which has a new fleet of trains running services between London and Hull and has not only returned to pre-pandemic passenger levels much faster than many other operators, but has led the way on growth as a long distance operator. Both companies aim to deliver environmental, economic, employment and social benefits to the areas in which they operate.
Lumo and Hull Trains join a growing number of purpose-led businesses that are members of the Purpose Business Coalition, and part of the wider Purpose Coalition. They work with many leading businesses including Leonardo, Sodexo, UK Power Networks and bp as well as universities, NHS Trusts, local authorities and third sector organisations across the country to improve social mobility in their organisations.
Their work is guided by a framework of 14 Purpose Goals which cover key life stages as well as the barriers that can prevent people from getting on in life, such as health and wellbeing and digital connectivity. The Impact Report for Lumo and Hull Trains will be mapped against these Goals.
Martjin Gilbert, Managing Director at Lumo and Hull Trains said: “The 14 Purpose Goals align well with our aims and objectives to deliver affordable rail services that improve social mobility, air quality and economic benefits in the areas we serve. Our services help better connect communities, create new jobs including apprenticeships, and help drive many wider benefits. We’re passionate about playing our part in wider society, including with our supply chain and supporting events and organisations that are important to our customers and colleagues. We look forward to working with the Purpose Coalition to take our work in this important area even further.”
Chair of the Purpose Coalition, Rt Hon Justine Greening, said: “When I was Secretary of State for Transport I saw first-hand how critical the transport sector is in driving economic growth as well as the important part it can play in tackling regional inequality. As we focus our efforts on net zero, the rail industry in particular is also central to delivering sustainable options for travel. It can provide the shift we need away from air travel for long distance journeys while also offering choice and value to its customers. More widely, it can make a significant contribution to the good infrastructure and connectivity that the country needs if there is to be genuine levelling up and fairer access to opportunity.
“I am looking forward to working with Lumo and Hull Trains to find out how they are already delivering a positive social impact in the regions where they operate and exploring how that support can be extended even further to help attract the inward investment, employment and opportunities they need.”
