Launched in 2020, the ‘Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Charter’ is a commitment to work together to build a more balanced, fair and high performing sector. This is a voluntary initiative, open to all companies, clients and organisations working in the UK rail sector who wish to play a role in promoting positive change in our industry. 

Journey is the network of LGBTQ+ colleague networks in the transport industry. Filled with a purpose of creating a community of LGBTQ+ network leaders, providing mutual support, advice and inspiration. They aim to make the UK transport system a safer space for LGBTQ+ people to both work in, and to travel on.

The vision of the Rail Wellbeing Alliance (RWA) is to inspire healthy lives across the railway. RWA includes the Health & Wellbeing Action Group and the Occupational health & Hygiene Advisory Group, and reports into the industry’s Health & Safety Advisory Group. A cross-industry strategic approach to wellbeing is as an important component of the rail’s movement towards integrated public ownership.

There are many women’s equity networks and groups but Women in Transport is focused specifically on the employment, career advancement and retention of women within the transport industry. They welcome membership from anyone working in the transport sector.

Young Rail Professionals (YRP) was founded in 2009 to promote the rail industry as a great place to work, inspire the next generation of railway talent and develop young people to reach their potential. YRP brings together people from all aspects of the industry, whether they are involved in engineering, asset management, train operations, strategic planning, maintenance, franchising, regulation, marketing, human relations or otherwise.

Ethnicity and Race in Rail is an inclusive group celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion across all roles in UK rail. Through research and collaborative initiatives, they aim to remove barriers and empower individuals.

Muslims in Rail is a national network of professionals drawn from leading rail and transport organisations. Motivated by faith, through a commitment to connecting and inspiring people working or seeking a career in the rail industry.

Women in Rail was created to improve diversity in the UK rail industry, providing networking opportunities and support for all women within the sector, encouraging stakeholders to adopt diversity as a business strategy, and devising initiatives to position rail as an attractive career choice for young people.

In December 2024 Rail Unites for Inclusion hosted an event for International Day for People with Disabilities’, bringing together railway accessibility specialists, disability network leads and others with lived experience to discuss the future of disability in the industry. Through panel discussions, and breakout groups, a collective vision began to take form; out of that event, a cross-industry working group was established.

Established to support the delivery of a National Rail Accessibility Strategy (NRAS) in an advisory capacity. The main aim of the group is to provide independent advice, guidance and constructive and considered challenge about whether and how the interests of disabled people and those with additional needs have been taken into account in the National Rail Accessibility Strategy development.