A newcomer to Anglo-Scottish rail services has made it to the shortlist for two awards.
Lumo, a subsidiary of First Group, began operating services between London King's Cross and Edinburgh Waverley in 2021.
It has been nominated for the award of Rail Operator of the Year at the National Transport Awards (NTA) in early October as well as the Passenger Transport Award at the annual Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Awards for Excellence, due to take place in later September.
The Newcastle-based company will be in competition with other operators for the NTA award, which looks at innovative ways of operation, excellence in transportation and the enhancement of transport networks across all four countries of the UK.
The CILT awards, for which Lumo is shortlisted alongside the Elizabeth Line (Transport for London) and Reading Buses, seek out excellence in logistics and transport, with an emphasis on the most pioneering organisations in the field.
These will include operators who make outstanding improvements in passenger service, equipment and information management as well as the implementation of new technology.
These go alongside a demonstration of improvements in organisation and human resources and – particularly apposite for a 100%-electric rail operator – evidence of an environmental sensitivity.
The operator is also in line to bag the award for People Development, which pinpoints organisations which demonstrate innovative approaches to staff development. It has been shortlisted alongside two global operators – BAE Systems and transport organisation The Go-Ahead Group.
Lumo is committed to the continuous learning and personal development of its employees. Custom-designed apprenticeships have been undertaken by 90% of the company's staff, thus ensuring career progression within the organisation.
Lumo is an ‘open access' train operating company, which means that it does not receive state funding. It has invested £100m to manufacture and maintain five 100% electric trains, built by Hitachi.
Lumo's Managing Director Martijn Gilbert said: “I'm exceptionally proud of our team's achievements here at Lumo which have now led to us being shortlisted for three prestigious awards and alongside some very big names in the world of transport and logistics. Our Newcastle team works tirelessly to provide a friendly, efficient and innovative service onboard our sustainable rail service that's backed up by our great value fare offers. We're looking forward to the trip to London, onboard a Lumo train of course, and hopefully bringing some silverware back to the North East!”.
I was on a Lumo train. It was nice.