This Wednesday (5 February), we were delighted to join LNER at the Scottish Parliament for our joint Think Rail First reception, celebrating the vital role of rail in connecting Scotland and the rest of the UK.
With 2025 marking the bicentennial of the modern railway (#Railway200), this event underscored rail’s central importance in driving economic growth, sustainability, and connectivity.
The event was kindly sponsored and chaired by Kevin Stewart MSP, who welcomed an audience of over 80 guests, including MSPs, business leaders, tourism interests, community organisations, and senior figures from across the rail industry. We were also thrilled to be joined by VIP Eleanor!
Take a look at all the images from the event at the end of this article.
On Transform’s stand, we showcased our long-standing commitment to promoting rail over air travel, highlighting our 20-year campaign to boost investment and awareness around sustainable transport. Our ‘Fight or Flight’ project, which explores the benefits of shifting from air to rail, was a focal point of discussion.
We welcomed the Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop, who reaffirmed the Scottish Government’s strong commitment to rail, emphasising the role of sustainable transport in achieving net-zero targets and boosting economic opportunities. The Cabinet Secretary highlighted the Government’s own plans for new rolling stock on the Scottish rail network as part of Transport Scotland’s rail decarbonisation action plan.
A transformative year for rail
David Horne, MD of LNER, highlighted the exciting changes ahead for rail travel between Scotland and London – with the transformational timetable for the rail industry, coming into effect from December 2025 The new timetable will see journey times between Edinburgh and London cut to just over four hours by the end of this year. This initiative, ‘East Coast Velocity’, is the result of years of investment in new trains and infrastructure, aiming to make rail the fastest, most convenient, and most environmentally friendly mode of travel between the two capitals of the UK.
Rail travel is already experiencing a surge in demand, with a 41% increase in passenger numbers between Edinburgh and London since the pandemic. With 37 new services introduced each weekday and six million more seats available annually, LNER is poised to take rail’s market share on this route from 46% to 60% and beyond. These improvements will ensure that rail is not just a viable alternative to air travel, but the preferred choice.
What rail brings to the city
Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce chief exec Liz McAreavey reinforced the importance of strong rail links for Edinburgh’s economic success. She made the case that as the UK’s second-largest financial centre and a major driver of innovation, from fintech to the creative industries, Edinburgh relies on efficient and sustainable transport connections. Rail plays a critical role in supporting business travel, tourism, and investment, ensuring that the city remains a global economic hub.
Liz made the case that rail infrastructure is a key enabler in connecting businesses, talent, and investors. Improved connectivity between Edinburgh and London will bolster the city’s competitive edge, attracting high-value investment and job opportunities.
Rail for the community and the environment
Beyond economic benefits, LNER’s commitment to sustainability and innovation was a central theme of the evening. Rail travel already produces six times less carbon emissions than air travel and three times fewer than cars, and LNER is actively working to reduce emissions further — having achieved a 47% reduction since 2018.
Innovation is also at the heart of LNER’s strategy. From using algae to capture carbon in Berwick to recycling train waste into 3D-printed products, LNER is pioneering new approaches to sustainability. Meanwhile, community initiatives such as the Customer and Community Investment Fund continue to support local projects across Scotland, including LifeCare Edinburgh and Findhorn, Nairn & Lossie Rivers Trust.
Looking ahead: Making rail the first choice
With #Railway200 marking 200 years of Britain’s railways, now is the time to build upon that legacy and ensure that our railways enter a new transformative era.
At Transform, we continue to champion rail as the fastest, most sustainable, and economically vital mode of transport. We can build a future where rail is the default choice for travel between Scotland and the rest of the UK and we’re encouraging businesses to lead the way.
We extend our thanks to LNER, the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, and all our partners and attendees for making this event a success. Let’s work together to Think Rail First and keep rail at the heart of Scotland’s transport future.
