All aboard for Pride celebrations: TPE flies the flag for Pride in Manchester
TransPennine Express (TPE) celebrated Manchester Pride this weekend with colleagues and communities across its rail network.
More than 50 people from TPE and the TransPennine Route Upgrade project took part in the parade on Saturday 24 August, joining in the colourful spectacle on the streets of Manchester and promoting inclusivity and equality in the workplace.
This year's theme was 'Buzzin to Be Queer - A Hive of Progress' and united the city under the symbol of the Manchester Bee.
Conductor Zack Hallam was one of those from TPE who enjoyed the celebrations.
He said: “Pride is important because we can celebrate all our LGBTQ+ colleagues in the rail industry and show that it is somewhere you’d be included and feel comfortable working.”
Zack is a member of TPE’s LGBTQ+ Network, which gives members a chance to influence and celebrate diversity at TPE as well as continue to build a more inclusive working environment.
He added: I think it's important to get input from LGBTQ+ colleagues ourselves and it appealed to me to join because I wanted to help the company embrace the diversity we have here.”
Harriet Harbridge, Diversity & Inclusion Manager at TransPennine Express, added: “We’re thrilled to celebrate with our colleagues and customers while supporting one of the largest Pride events in the UK. At TPE, we believe in fostering a workplace where everyone feels welcome, respected, and valued.”
TPE’s Nova 1 ‘Unity’ train, which features the Pride Progress Flag, has become a symbol of the company’s commitment to inclusivity. The flag, with its five-striped chevron representing LGBTQ+ people of colour and the trans community, was introduced earlier this year. The train now travels across the North and Scotland, celebrating the diversity of TPE’s colleagues and customers.