Four train operators and Network Rail have come together to pool their resources where ambitious startups and SMEs can develop solutions to improve performance, operational excellence, and customer experience, and develop people and talent

The four operators LNER, Northern, Southeastern, and TransPennine Express have titled their ambitious venture “Future Labs” as an indication of its innovation programme that provides a real-world environment where ambitious technology companies can apply, test, and demonstrate their solutions.

During a 12-week period, the train operators will provide the participants with invaluable access to mentors and subject experts, receive insights into industry data, and access to resources and testing environments.

They will also be able to work with industry experts to demonstrate their innovations and how they address opportunities within the rail industry.

Together with the train operators, Future Labs will be run by partner L Marks, to use its expertise in corporate innovation to deliver the programme and support the candidates.

Participants in the Future Labs programme will have three industry-led challenges and an open challenge where they can offer solutions beyond their briefs. The statutory challenges are:

Performance & Operational Excellence

• Demonstrate solutions that enhance and complement operational performance and back-office processes by providing staff with the tools needed to improve their processes.

Enhancing Customer Experience

• Demonstrate how their solutions will help to improve passenger safety and accessibility, and keep customers informed.

Developing People & Talent

• Demonstrate a unique approach to strategic resource planning, as well; as supporting staff wellness and personal development, and attracting the next generation of talent by promoting diversity.

Applications to be part of the Future Labs programme are now open. The closing date for applications is 16th June 2024.

Further information and applications details can be found at www.thefuturelabs.co.uk

Future Labs is not a new programme, as London North Eastern Railway has been running its own version for several years and Transport for Wales has a similar initiative with its ‘Lab by Transport for Wales’.

Through the collaboration of the four rail operators, we are taking the next necessary step towards embracing new technologies. Some of the greatest leaps forward in the rail sector have come through this open approach to innovation, and this new programme marks a significant moment in generating strength of expertise and access for technology companies looking to break into the industry.

Danny Gonzalez, LNER’s Chief Digital and Innovation Officer

We’re delighted to announce our new partnership with the train operating companies to launch Future Labs. The programme is set to be unrivalled in terms of the depth of access, data, insight and mentorship. It will be a truly unique opportunity to develop new solutions, embedded in the real-world rail environment, where the complexities can put the value of new innovation to the test. This presents huge potential for technology innovators across regions and around the world to pioneer the next step in rail innovation and collaboration.

Daniel Saunders, Chief Executive at L Marks

The rail industry provided us with invaluable access to experts and depot environments, that allowed us to validate and develop our product. The unique opportunity to generate our own insights was instrumental in building an understanding of the nuances of rail industry operations. Given the excellent experience it was to work with mentors and rail experts, the expanded scale of the programme with four operators is a really exciting opportunity for innovators looking to disrupt an industry.

Faizan Patankar, CEO & Founder of AI platform Amygda, a startup that achieved breakthrough success in rai