Press releases

Royal Naval train honoured at Preston Station for its role during the World Wars

Press releases   •   May 16, 2019 12:55 BST

Virgin Trains has unveiled a commemorative plaque at Preston station honouring the Jellicoe Express – the Royal Naval train that transported hundreds of soldiers and sailors during the World Wars.

Conference hears how Virgin Trains has improved customer and employee experience with ServiceNow

Press releases   •   May 15, 2019 10:20 BST

A major international conference has heard how Virgin Trains has revolutionised its information technology to benefit its customers and employees.

Customers on Virgin Trains can now bid for last-minute First Class upgrades with Seatfrog app

Press releases   •   May 08, 2019 08:00 BST

Virgin Trains customers can now secure a last-minute upgrade thanks to a collaboration with Seatfrog, an app which lets users take part in an auction for seats in First Class.

Radical proposals unveiled by Virgin Trains to reform rail by importing airline model

Press releases   •   Apr 24, 2019 06:00 BST

Train overcrowding and complex ticketing could be abolished, customer experience improved, and fares cut under radical ideas from Virgin Trains to overhaul the UK’s rail industry. As part of a root-and-branch reform, Virgin has called for long-distance rail services to be operated along similar principles to airline routes, with passengers reaping the rewards of greater competition.

Statement from Virgin Trains

Press releases   •   Apr 10, 2019 07:00 BST

Virgin Trains express disappointment at the Department for Transport's decision to disqualify their bid for the West Coast Partnership

Virgin Trains flies the flag for Coventry

Press releases   •   Apr 05, 2019 11:00 BST

Virgin Trains has named one of its Pendolinos 'Lady Godiva' to mark Coventry’s UK City of Culture in 2021. The train also carries the new city flag and will be seen my millions up and down the west coast route. The naming follows on from competition run by BBC Coventry & Warwickshire.

Virgin Trains on course for 50m passengers ahead of HS2 after breaking new records

Press releases   •   Apr 04, 2019 09:37 BST

Virgin Trains has broken new passenger records after nearly doubling rail industry growth levels. Nearly 40 million journeys were made over the last year (2018/19) on the route connecting London to major cities such as Manchester, Birmingham, Preston and Glasgow, a 3.1% increase on the previous year and up by nearly 10m compared with six years previously.

Virtual carriage could be the future for new recruits at Virgin Trains

Press releases   •   Apr 02, 2019 07:00 BST

Virgin Trains has partnered with students to help develop virtual reality technology to aid training in health and safety for new recruits.

Virgin Trains partner with Solihull Moors FC and Solihull Mind to deliver mental health support sessions

Press releases   •   Mar 21, 2019 13:50 GMT

Virgin Trains has partnered with Solihull Moors Football Club and Solihull Mind to run weekly football sessions to help those in the local community struggling with mental health issues.

JAM card introduced by Virgin Trains for customers with communications barriers

Press releases   •   Mar 12, 2019 16:13 GMT

Virgin Trains has become the first travel company outside of Northern Ireland to introduce a ground-breaking initiative for people with communication barriers. Standing for “Just a Minute”, anyone with a JAM card can present it to Virgin Trains staff to let them know they have a communication barrier which could be a result of number of factors including autism or a learning difficulty.

Dean Gaffney and the (Toilet) Role of a Lifetime

Press releases   •   Mar 12, 2019 00:01 GMT

EastEnder helps launch Virgin Trains’ search for new voice of their onboard talking toilets

Tribute to Jake the Trainspotting Dog by Virgin Trains

Press releases   •   Mar 06, 2019 10:37 GMT

Virgin Trains has honoured the memory of Jake the Trainspotting Dog by unveiling a specially commission portrait and 'Jake' inspired watering station for his fellow canine friends.

Social Mobility Employer status awarded to Virgin Trains

Press releases   •   Mar 05, 2019 10:25 GMT

​Virgin Trains has become the first train operating company to be named an accredited Social Mobility Employer, as part of a nation-wide drive to improve social mobility in the UK.

Passengers stunned as comedian Tim Vine takes over tannoy on Virgin Train

Press releases   •   Feb 27, 2019 11:03 GMT

​Virgin Trains customers have been treated to an impromptu onboard performance by one-liner legend Tim Vine. The award-winning comedian delivered a five-minute set over the tannoy of the Euston to Manchester service after being invited to share some gags by Train Manager Darren Jones.

Customers can now book travel assistance on Virgin Trains with Amazon Alexa

Press releases   •   Feb 26, 2019 06:00 GMT

Customers who require travel assistance on Virgin Trains are set to benefit from a new feature on the Virgin Trains skill for Alexa, which allows them to request it using basic voice commands.

Virgin Trains scoop three awards at Cheshire Best Kept Stations

Press releases   •   Feb 19, 2019 15:19 GMT

Virgin Trains’ Crewe, Stockport and Warrington Bank Quay stations all acknowledged at the Cheshire Best Kept Stations awards evening, with judges commending Virgin Trains commitment to serving their local communities.

Virgin Trains offers first Vegan Society-registered wrap

Press releases   •   Feb 11, 2019 00:01 GMT

​Virgin Trains has launched a new wrap approved by the Vegan Society after forming a partnership with the charity to provide more plant-based food.

Virgin Trains offers tickets for a tenner on London to Birmingham route

Press releases   •   Feb 08, 2019 06:00 GMT

On Mondays, on selected services between London Euston and Birmingham all Advance single fares will cost just £10

All Aboard! ‘The Rookies’ are rolling into stations this holiday

Press releases   •   Feb 07, 2019 07:00 GMT

Virgin Trains welcomes boost in journeys on Blackpool route

Press releases   •   Feb 04, 2019 00:01 GMT

Latest figures from Virgin Trains show that a record number of journeys have been taken on its Blackpool route six months after introducing new electric services to the seaside resort.