Greener, cleaner travel
With battery-operated train and bus fleets, transport operator Transport UK is transforming travel for millions of passengers every day.
Driving sustainability forward, each of its five key businesses – Merseyrail, Greater Anglia, West Midlands Trains, East Midlands Railway and Transport UK London Bus – provides integrated transport, accessibility, mobility and clean air.
Transport UK formed in 2023 after a management buyout. Led by industry experts, and with over 12,000 employees, the company takes previous owner Abellio’s 20 years of innovation to the next level. By supercharging trains and buses with green technology, Transport UK is becoming the go-to low-carbon transport of the future.
“Transport UK and Serco, our partners, are very proud to be supporting Merseytravel and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority in introducing the Mayor’s new trains,” says Alan Pilbeam, Chief Commercial Officer of Transport UK.
“These include the battery electric hybrid trains that are the first to be introduced in Great Britain.”
Battery powered
Transport UK is rolling out groundbreaking technology to passengers.
In partnership with Serco, Merseyrail is the first operator in the UK to introduce Independently Powered Electric Multiple-Unit (IPEMU) trains, whose batteries enable the network to extend its service on non-electrified lines. In addition, Merseyrail’s Class 777 trains feature an award-winning level boarding system, which makes transport accessible for everyone.
In other parts of the business, West Midlands Trains’ WMTen manifesto aims to lower emissions to 10%, while East Midlands Railway is set on a 44% reduction over two years with the introduction of its new bi-mode, diesel and electric trains. Meanwhile, Greater Anglia is conducting a feasibility study into whether hydrogen generated by offshore wind farms could be utilised as an alternative fuel.
All aboard
Transport UK’s fleet of nearly 800 buses is 78% hybrid or electric, and all will be fully electric ahead of the Mayor of London’s 2030 net zero carbon target. Transport UK London Bus is already contributing to a reduction in air and noise pollution with six depots equipped with charging infrastructure across the capital.
