Northern Trains report shows how rail can open doors to jobs, skills, and opportunity
A new report has been launched that outlines how Northern Trains is using its railway to change lives – creating jobs, building skills, and improving access to travel and opportunity for communities across the North of England.
The Breaking Down Barriers to Opportunity Impact Report, produced with The Purpose Coalition and launched in Parliament on 8 September, sets out how the UK’s largest train operator outside London is delivering impact far beyond running trains – and includes recommendations to build on this progress in the years ahead.
The report highlights major projects and local initiatives, including:
The £298.5m reopening of the Northumberland Line, reconnecting communities to rail after 60 years, creating jobs and capping fares to keep travel affordable.
Accessibility innovations such as AI-generated British Sign Language announcements and ‘Try the Train’ journeys for disabled and anxious passengers.
A grants programme supporting projects that tackle mental health, poverty, and digital exclusion.
Schemes giving young people from deprived areas their first paid work experience and targeted STEM sessions for girls to inspire the next generation of rail professionals.
In 2024, Northern colleagues volunteered over 6,000 hours and invested £6.2m into local communities. In cities like Liverpool – ranked the most deprived area in England – Northern is working with other rail operators and local housing providers on affordable travel, community safety, and skills projects in disadvantaged neighbourhoods.
Tricia Williams, Managing Director at Northern, said:
“We are proud to work with the Purpose Coalition, aligning our efforts with national goals to tackle inequality and create opportunity.
I welcome this report, which is a reflection of Northern’s commitment to supporting our colleagues, investing in local economies and making a difference for all we serve, every single day”.
The Rt Hon Justice Greening, former Transport Secretary and Chair of the Purpose Coalition, said:
“Northern is setting the blueprint for how purpose-led, publicly owned rail can work. This report shows what’s possible – from creating jobs and skills to building stronger links between communities and opportunity, and contributing to regional growth.
“As the sector transitions to public ownership, there’s real value in others learning from this approach, which is exactly what we enable through The Purpose Coalition, working with our partners to share best practice and develop innovative solutions.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Northern: Northern is the largest passenger train operator outside London, running nearly 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England. It employs over 7,000 people and makes more than 100 million passenger journeys possible each year.
About the Report: The Breaking Down Barriers to Opportunity Impact Report was produced in partnership with The Purpose Coalition. It benchmarks Northern’s work against the Purpose Goals framework – a UK-wide set of targets designed to improve access to jobs, skills, education, and opportunity – and sets out case studies and recommendations for further action.
Other Examples from the Report:
The Customer and Community Improvement Fund awarded grants of up to £20,000 for projects tackling issues such as mental health, social isolation, and digital exclusion.
The ‘Startup Sherpas’ programme gave 100 teenagers from disadvantaged backgrounds paid work advising Northern on service improvements – for most, their first paid job.
Partnership with Guide Dogs for the Blind to familiarise assistance dogs with rail travel.
A biodiversity programme mapping wildlife habitats around stations and engaging local “Friends of” groups in planting and conservation
About the Purpose Coalition: The Purpose Coalition brings together businesses, universities, public sector organisations, and cross-party politicians to tackle barriers to opportunity in the UK. Chaired by the Rt Hon Justine Greening, the Coalition works with members to measure impact, share best practice, and develop practical solutions.
