At last weekend’s Manchester Pride, TransPennine Express (TPE) and some of its colleagues celebrated the weekend along with colleagues and communities across its network.

More than 50 colleagues from TransPennine Express and the TransPennine Route Upgrade project took part in the parade last Saturday, 24th August.

They immersed themselves in the colourful spectacle around the streets of Manchester and actively promoted inclusivity and equality in the workplace.

One of TransPennine Express Nova 1 trains features the Pride Progress Flag, which has become a symbol of the company’s commitment to inclusivity. The flag with its five-striped chevron was introduced earlier this year.

The ‘Unity’ Nova 1 train is used on TransPennine Express services throughout the North of England and Scotland and celebrates the diversity of the company’s colleagues and customers.

The theme for this year’s Manchester Pride was ‘Buzzin to Be Queer – A Hive of Progress’, and was designed to unite the city under the symbol of the Manchester Bee.

As well as colleagues from TransPennine Express, volunteers from Network Rail took part in the parade and greeted those who arrived at Manchester Piccadilly by handing out branded merchandise.

Conductor Zack Hallam was one of those from TPE who enjoyed the celebrations. He is a member of the TransPennine Express LGBTQ+ Network, which gives members a chance to influence and celebrate diversity at the company as well as continue to build a more inclusive working environment.

Pride is important because we can celebrate all our LGBTQ+ colleagues in the rail industry and show that it is somewhere you’d be included and feel comfortable working.

I think it’s important to get input from LGBTQ+ colleagues ourselves and it appealed to me to join because I wanted to help the company embrace the diversity we have here.

Zack Hallam, TransPennine Express conductor

We’re thrilled to celebrate with our colleagues and customers while supporting one of the largest Pride events in the UK. At TPE, we believe in fostering a workplace where everyone feels welcome, respected, and valued.

Harriet Harbridge, Diversity & Inclusion Manager at TransPennine Express