To mark its inaugural ‘TPE Week of Inclusion’ and its partnership with The Proud Trust, earlier today, Tuesday 23 January, TransPennine Express (TPE) has unveiled a train dedicated to the Pride community.

A Nova 1 train, unit number 802213, has been wrapped in the latest Pride Progress flag, which on its left side includes a five-striped chevron that represents LGBTQ+ people of colour and the trans community. On the left half of the flag, a purple circle superimposed on a yellow triangle has been added to the chevron to reflect the 2013 intersex flag.

Purple and yellow are used by the intersex community as a counterpoint to blue and pink, whilst the circle symbolises the right of individuals to make their own decisions about their bodies.

The train’s inaugural journey was from Newcastle, but the ‘Unity’ train will operate on TransPennine Express services throughout the north of England and Scotland as a beacon of hope for the diverse communities the company serves.

The train’s unveiling coincided with the start of ‘TPE Week of Inclusion’ where the company will celebrate the diversity and embrace the individuality of its employees and customers and has entered a partnership with The Proud Trust, an LGBT+ youth charity that empowers young people to be proud of who they are.

The week builds on the company’s blueprint for making journeys better by embracing equality, diversity, and inclusion to develop the knowledge and confidence to foster and embed a companywide culture of inclusion.

Each day, the company will celebrate its employees who wish to share their own unique stories, including stories from Hans Ekonje, Driver Instructor at Manchester Piccadilly, Georgina Young, Regional Customer Experience Manager, Kerri-Anne Scott, Conductor at Preston, Becky Woodhead, Conductor at Cleethorpes and Luke Gardner, Timetable Development and Delivery Manager.

Chris Jackson, Managing Director of TPE, said: “At TPE, we strive to make sure everyone in our business feels included, that every individual, of every background and culture, feels heard and celebrated for what they bring to our team.

“The launch of our Unity Train on the first day of ‘TPE Week of Inclusion’ is a historic moment for TPE, we want people of all backgrounds and characteristics to feel welcome, whether that’s using our services, applying for jobs or whilst at work.

“I’m thrilled that our Nova train featuring the Pride Progress Flag will now shine brightly as it travels throughout the North and Scotland and I’m looking forward to celebrating the diversity of our colleagues and customers this week.”

Lisa Harvey Nebil, CEO of The Proud Trust, said: “Seeing the Unity Train in all its glory this morning fills myself and our team with huge pride and we can’t wait for the LGBT+ community to see the train as it travels throughout the north.

“We’ve already received fantastic support from TPE and we’re looking forward to doing more inspiring work together.”

Harriet Harbidge, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at TPE, said: “We’re so excited to celebrate our first ever ‘TPE Week of Inclusion’. Launching the ‘Unity Train’ is a perfect way to kickstart the week and speaking to our LGBTQ+ network group we know how important it is, to our colleagues and the communities we serve, that this train is now in service.”