TransPennine Express (TPE) will run an extra service tomorrow, Saturday 1 June, from Newcastle to York via Leeds for those who wish to attend the city’s Pride celebrations.

To keep in the spirit of the day, TransPennine Express will ensure the service is operated by its Nova 1 ‘Unity’ train that features the Pride Progress Flag and a five-striped chevron to the left side of the flag representing LGBTQ+ people of colour and the trans community.

The TransPennine Express ‘Unity’ train will depart from Newcastle at 7.19 am, arrive in Leeds at 9.01 am, and then run via Castleford to York where it will arrive at 9.43 am.

Pride in York is a one-day event on Saturday 1 June to celebrate all things LGBTQ+ in the city.

Live music and a parade will feature prominently and will be attended by colleagues from both TransPennine Express and London North Eastern Railway.

The livery of the Nova 1 ‘Unity’ train was designed to celebrate the diversity of TransPennine Express colleagues and customers.

It was introduced earlier this year and operates TransPennine Express services throughout northern England and Scotland.

Tickets for the special service are now available at tpexpress.co.uk/train-tickets.

TransPennine Express made significant strides towards promoting diversity and inclusion by equipping its workforce with the knowledge and tools to create a more inclusive workplace proactively.

During last year’s Pride Month, the company launched a ‘Pride Pack’ for all its employees which is a comprehensive resource designed to educate colleagues about the history of Pride Month. It also provides guidance on how colleagues can become supportive allies to the LGBTQ+ community.

We are pleased to be able to offer this very special extra service to our customers who are taking part in the Pride celebrations in York.

We will be celebrating with our colleagues and customers, while also supporting one of the largest Pride events in the UK.

Services may be busy, so we’re asking our customers to plan their journey carefully.

Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Experience & Transformation Director at TransPennine Express