These past five years have reminded us how the railway bring us together. We’ve kept you moving, from the global pandemic to royal celebrations and a period of national mourning, and international cultural events.
It comes as we reach the end of our latest five-year budgeting and planning period, known in the rail industry as Control Period six.
Since 2019, we’ve helped you travel more than 170bn kilometres on more than 4.5bn journeys. Plus, we’ve built more than a dozen new stations.
Historic events
We kept Britain going during covid-19 by moving essential workers and goods.
And were force of good internationally as well – delivering essential goods, supplies and rail equipment to Ukraine.
The railway transported people from all over Britain in the hundreds of thousands for the celebrations of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.
Then again just three months later, for national mourning at Her Majesty’s funeral.
We then united the nation once more to witness history at the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.
Supporting you during international events
The rail brought us together for cultural events, too, including the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
The centrepiece of art at the Games – Ozzy the Raging Bull – moved into Birmingham New Street station to remind visitors of the city’s important role in the event.
Liverpool Lime Street welcomed you as you celebrated the Eurovision Song Contest, as the city hosted the contest on behalf of the previous year’s winner, Ukraine
We pulled out all the stops to welcome Eurovision fans to the station with a party, live music and even a best-dressed competition hosted by station staff.
We’ve played an important role in extraordinary times with great pride – and will continue to do so.