Disability Pride Month important reminder of role train operators have to play in ensuring everyone has access to the rail network
Train operators in public ownership say Disability Pride Month is an important reminder of the role they have to play in ensuring that disabled passengers not only have access to the railway—but feel seen, supported and proud of who they are when they travel.
The global event, which takes place every July, celebrates the identities, culture and vital contributions of disabled people and seeks to challenge outdated perceptions and raise awareness of the systemic barriers and inequalities that disabled people continue to face in everyday life.
Some of the progress that publicly owned train operators have made in 2025 includes:
- LNER: Routinely responding to over 250,000 passenger assistance requests per year, helping thousands of customers with mobility and accessibility needs. LNER continues to lead the industry in post-pandemic recovery, attracting more passengers than ever and reinforcing its commitment to inclusive travel.
- Northern (NT): Introduced a new Assisted Travel Support Team, primarily staffed by people with lived experience of disability travel. The team is available from 6am to 11pm seven days a week via WhatsApp (07779 914800) to support customers with journey planning, real-time disruption updates and issues related to pre-booked assistance - enhancing confidence and independence for disabled passengers.
- Southeastern (SE): Supported Network Rail with the completion of Access for All (AfA) projects at Shortlands and Herne Bay stations (lifts and full step-free access, significantly improving accessibility at the stations) and the start on site of the largest AfA project to date at Hither Green.
- South Western Railway (SWR): Increased Assisted Travel customer numbers by 32%, fulfilling a total of 259,000 assistance requests in the past 12 months. SWR’s industry leading Assisted Boarding Points and customer-focussed culture amongst colleagues, mean more than 60% of customers requiring assistance now have the confidence to Turn Up and Go without having to pre-book assistance.
- TransPennine Express (TPT): Delivered significant accessibility improvements at Dewsbury, Grimsby Town and Scunthorpe stations, focusing on safer, easier access for all passengers. Its base at Manchester Airport now features British Sign Language (BSL)-friendly information screens, making it easier for deaf and hard-of-hearing customers using the station to make their connections.
Commenting on the progress that publicly owned train operators, who will now deliver 28% of all passenger journeys in the UK following c2c being taken into public ownership on 20 July, have made, the managing director of Northern, Tricia Williams, said:
“Our railways are for everyone and we want all our customers to be able to access it safely and confidently.
“Train operators in public ownership have made progress in recent months to improve accessibility for passengers. From innovative support services to major infrastructure upgrades, we’re proud that publicly owned operators are trailblazing accessibility improvements for all passengers.
“We’re delighted to highlight the message behind Disability Pride Month and it reminds us that our commitment to creating accessibility for all our customers is as important now as ever before, and we will maintain our momentum as we reform our railways, so that everyone, everywhere, can travel with dignity and confidence.”
Disability Pride Month is a global event that takes place every July and celebrates the identities, culture and vital contributions of people with disabilities.
It also seeks to challenge outdated perceptions and raise awareness of the systemic barriers and inequalities that disabled people continue to face in everyday life.