As Pride celebrations continue throughout the UK, London's public transport network is once again taking a bold approach towards reminding people of its support for the LGBTQ+ community. Continuing its previous “Trainbow” campaign, several trains, buses and taxis are now dressed in bright rainbow colours to celebrate Pride 2025.
Transport for London (TfL) and other major rail operators, such as Southeastern and Avanti West Coast are getting involved in this year's campaign. Passengers travelling around the capital will notice rainbow-themed vehicles on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), London buses, and sections of the Elizabeth line. The designs are meant as logos stress inclusion and equality, rather than just something to admire in the stations.
One of this years campaign highlights is Southeastern Railway's high-speed trains that travel between Kent and East Sussex to London. The trains are decorated with vibrant Pride designs and support messages. Avanti West Coast has also brought back its Progress Train which displays not only the standard rainbow colours but also black, brown, pink, blue, and white stripes representing people of colour as well as the transgender community. This makes it one of the most inclusive train designs in operation.
The purpose of the bright displays is to raise visibility and remind passengers that everyone should feel like they belong while travelling. The Trainbow campaign has definitely become an important item for many Londoner's as part of Pride Month. It provides a visible symbol that London will continue to stand with the LGBTQ+ community.
The Trainbow campaign started in London back in 2015, when rainbow wrapped the first DLR train in London, and has extended to incorporate multiple methods of transport, whether that's by ferry or bus, across the UK. Today, passengers will see Pride-themed manner of transport not just in London, but across multiple modes of transport in cities all around the UK.
TfL has always backed our campaign, introducing rainbow-wrapped double-decker buses, taxis and trains to the campaign. Our project on the Crossrail/Elizabeth line, which connects central London to Heathrow Airport, has rainbow graphics at stations including, Heathrow Terminal 5, Paddington and Liverpool Street. It is in the way of millions of people seeing the message of equality on their commute every single day.
The campaign has not just been limited to London and the UK. There have been similar projects in countries including, France, Ireland and Belgium where transport can be harnessed to create public awareness in a national and international scale.
Rail companies participating in this year’s campaign include:
- Transport for London (TfL)
- Southeastern Railway
- Avanti West Coast
- Great Western Railway
Public response has been largely positive, with many passengers sharing their photos of the decorated trains and buses on social media. Some have even changed their travel routes to see a Trainbow!
The organisers hope campaigns like this allow the conversation surrounding equality to continue beyond Pride Month. For the millions of people who use public transport, every day offers an invitation to remember that diversity should be celebrated and respected.
