Published 08 Sep 2026
Communities, charities, cultural organisations and businesses from across the Lumo and Hull Trains networks came together in Parliament to celebrate the positive impact rail connectivity can have on opportunity, growth and social mobility.
The special event marked the launch of a new Social Mobility Impact Report from the UK's leading open access operators, Lumo and Hull Trains, at a special parliamentary reception hosted by Dr Scott Arthur MP.
A wide range of organisations were represented in some way at the event, including Pride in Hull, North East Pride, Hull Freedom Festival, Edinburgh Science Festival, Hull Truck Theatre, Hull Maritime Museum, North East Museums, Newcastle Eagles, Doncaster Belles FC, Percy Hedley Foundation, Daft as a Brush, Visit Hull & East Yorkshire, Life Science Centre Newcastle and Humber Street Sesh, demonstrating the breadth of communities, businesses, charities and cultural organisations supported by strong rail connections.
The event, held in the Terrace Pavilion at the Palace of Westminster, also brought together MPs, industry leaders and stakeholders from across the transport sector to discuss the important role rail can play in improving social mobility and connecting people with greater opportunities.
Commissioned by Lumo and Hull Trains in partnership with The Purpose Coalition, the report examines how rail services, such as those operated by the open access operators, can support economic growth, improve access to education and employment and help communities thrive by providing affordable, sustainable and reliable transport links.
With Hull Trains serving communities across the East Coast Main Line and with Lumo now operating both East and West Coast services, the operators are a prime example of the importance of connectivity in unlocking opportunities and new partnerships.
The detailed report highlights the positive impact rail can have in linking people to jobs, skills, healthcare and leisure opportunities, particularly in areas where improved transport connections can make a meaningful difference to people's lives.
The parliamentary launch comes at an exciting time for Lumo, which recently expanded its services onto the West Coast Main Line, bringing greater choice and connectivity to customers while reinforcing its commitment to delivering affordable and sustainable rail travel across the UK.
Stuart Jones, Managing Director of Lumo and Hull Trains, said: “At Lumo and Hull Trains, we firmly believe that rail has a vital role to play in improving social mobility and creating opportunities for the communities we serve and the people we employ.
"This report demonstrates the positive impact that accessible, affordable and reliable rail services can have on people's lives, whether that's connecting them to employment, education, training or new experiences.
"As open access operators, we are committed to delivering services that not only provide excellent value for customers but also support economic growth and social inclusion. We are delighted to launch this important report in Parliament and look forward to working with partners across the sector to build on its key findings."
Dr Scott Arthur MP, who hosted the reception, said: "Rail connectivity is an essential part of creating opportunity and supporting growth in communities across the country. It is encouraging to see organisations such as Lumo and Hull Trains investing in research that highlights the wider societal benefits of rail and the important role it can play in improving social mobility.
“The report was developed in partnership with The Purpose Coalition, a leading organisation focused on breaking down barriers to opportunity and improving outcomes for communities across the UK. I was delighted to host today’s event and trust that it will support the development of this work.”
Professor Rt Hon Justine Greening, Chair of The Purpose Coalition, said: "Transport is a critical enabler of opportunity. Access to affordable and reliable transport networks can often determine whether someone is able to access education, employment or training opportunities.
"This report highlights the important contribution that rail can make towards improving social mobility and demonstrates how operators such as Lumo and Hull Trains are helping to connect people with opportunity across the regions they serve."
The launch forms part of Lumo and Hull Trains' continued commitment to supporting the communities on their networks through investment, partnership working and services that make rail travel more accessible and attractive for customers across the UK.
Both Lumo and Hull Trains are also proud to be inclusive employers, championing diversity within their workforces. Lumo previously introduced new gender-neutral uniforms for Customer Experience Ambassadors. Meanwhile, Hull Trains secured Operator of the Year at this year’s Spotlight Rail Awards and has regularly received accolades such as the coveted ‘Great Place To Work’ title.
The special event marked the launch of a new Social Mobility Impact Report from the UK's leading open access operators, Lumo and Hull Trains, at a special parliamentary reception hosted by Dr Scott Arthur MP.
A wide range of organisations were represented in some way at the event, including Pride in Hull, North East Pride, Hull Freedom Festival, Edinburgh Science Festival, Hull Truck Theatre, Hull Maritime Museum, North East Museums, Newcastle Eagles, Doncaster Belles FC, Percy Hedley Foundation, Daft as a Brush, Visit Hull & East Yorkshire, Life Science Centre Newcastle and Humber Street Sesh, demonstrating the breadth of communities, businesses, charities and cultural organisations supported by strong rail connections.
The event, held in the Terrace Pavilion at the Palace of Westminster, also brought together MPs, industry leaders and stakeholders from across the transport sector to discuss the important role rail can play in improving social mobility and connecting people with greater opportunities.
Commissioned by Lumo and Hull Trains in partnership with The Purpose Coalition, the report examines how rail services, such as those operated by the open access operators, can support economic growth, improve access to education and employment and help communities thrive by providing affordable, sustainable and reliable transport links.
With Hull Trains serving communities across the East Coast Main Line and with Lumo now operating both East and West Coast services, the operators are a prime example of the importance of connectivity in unlocking opportunities and new partnerships.
The detailed report highlights the positive impact rail can have in linking people to jobs, skills, healthcare and leisure opportunities, particularly in areas where improved transport connections can make a meaningful difference to people's lives.
The parliamentary launch comes at an exciting time for Lumo, which recently expanded its services onto the West Coast Main Line, bringing greater choice and connectivity to customers while reinforcing its commitment to delivering affordable and sustainable rail travel across the UK.
Stuart Jones, Managing Director of Lumo and Hull Trains, said: “At Lumo and Hull Trains, we firmly believe that rail has a vital role to play in improving social mobility and creating opportunities for the communities we serve and the people we employ.
"This report demonstrates the positive impact that accessible, affordable and reliable rail services can have on people's lives, whether that's connecting them to employment, education, training or new experiences.
"As open access operators, we are committed to delivering services that not only provide excellent value for customers but also support economic growth and social inclusion. We are delighted to launch this important report in Parliament and look forward to working with partners across the sector to build on its key findings."
Dr Scott Arthur MP, who hosted the reception, said: "Rail connectivity is an essential part of creating opportunity and supporting growth in communities across the country. It is encouraging to see organisations such as Lumo and Hull Trains investing in research that highlights the wider societal benefits of rail and the important role it can play in improving social mobility.
“The report was developed in partnership with The Purpose Coalition, a leading organisation focused on breaking down barriers to opportunity and improving outcomes for communities across the UK. I was delighted to host today’s event and trust that it will support the development of this work.”
Professor Rt Hon Justine Greening, Chair of The Purpose Coalition, said: "Transport is a critical enabler of opportunity. Access to affordable and reliable transport networks can often determine whether someone is able to access education, employment or training opportunities.
"This report highlights the important contribution that rail can make towards improving social mobility and demonstrates how operators such as Lumo and Hull Trains are helping to connect people with opportunity across the regions they serve."
The launch forms part of Lumo and Hull Trains' continued commitment to supporting the communities on their networks through investment, partnership working and services that make rail travel more accessible and attractive for customers across the UK.
Both Lumo and Hull Trains are also proud to be inclusive employers, championing diversity within their workforces. Lumo previously introduced new gender-neutral uniforms for Customer Experience Ambassadors. Meanwhile, Hull Trains secured Operator of the Year at this year’s Spotlight Rail Awards and has regularly received accolades such as the coveted ‘Great Place To Work’ title.
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