Transport UK Social Values Charter - Pillar 1: Connecting Communities
At the heart of our Social Value Charter is Connecting Communities. We believe in building strong, vibrant communities. We drive improvements and enhancements by engaging with schools, charities and businesses, creating employment opportunities and developing others.
With a staff of 12,000, we take our responsibility towards our communities very seriously. While our buses and trains connect villages to towns and towns to cities, we understand that our role goes beyond that. Our operating companies have close relationships with local communities, supporting charitable initiatives which connect our people to jobs and training. We also encourage colleagues to volunteer their time and skills to schools, community groups, and charities.
Case Studies:
Transport UK Group works closely with The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award to showcase the careers available in the transport industry to young people.
Through its community stations scheme, Greater Anglia offers up existing unused or under-utilised spaces at some stations that could be leased on a not-for-profit basis for community use.
East Midlands Railways’ Community Fund aims to support communities and organisations along its service routes. Working with Derbyshire Environmental Studies Service, the Derwent Valley Line Community Rail Partnership created a rail travel training plan for KS3 children at Alderwasley School, forming part of the school’s Pathways Life Skills Programme.
Through ‘Your Community, Your Fund,’ West Midlands Railways supports projects across its railway network to help bring community schemes to life. A recent project includes a Berkhamsted-based charity’s initiative to reduce crime in the region by providing young people with an environment to build their confidence and life skills.
Merseyrail’s approach focuses on community areas where it believes it can make a difference. Over the last two years, more than £100,000 has been raised for The Paper Cup Project, Tam O’Shanter Urban Farm, KIND, and Sefton Women’s & Children’s Aid.
Transport UK London Bus partnered with Transport for London on its ‘Women With Drive’ initiative, which is dedicated to attracting more women to London's vibrant bus industry.