As Rail Safety Week 2026 draws to a close, we want to take a moment to reflect on what has been a truly meaningful week for our industry.
The campaign, sponsored by Carlisle Support Services, generated a total of 150 participating organisations, with a breadth of activities that was one of the widest that the initiative has ever seen. From depot safety initiatives and boardroom conversations to community outreach and national events, the commitment shown across the rail sector has been extraordinary. To every individual, team, and organisation that took part, thank you. Your involvement is what makes Rail Safety Week matter. Rail Forum will be sending out participation certificates to all the organisations who got involved in the coming days.
Given the sobering context of the incident that took place in Bedford on the 19th of June, it is important to mention Rail Safety Week’s profound shock and sadness. Our thoughts are with East Midlands Railway colleagues and the passengers involved, and our thanks go to the emergency services who responded so swiftly. As an industry we are offering our collective support to all those involved, whilst we await the results of the official investigations into the causes of this tragic incident.
Rail Safety Week 2026 may be coming to a close, but the conversations it inspires should continue throughout the year and beyond. To carry that spirit forward, Rail Forum is pleased to announce the release of the latest episode from The Rail Forum Podcast: Psychological Safety & Dignity -Transforming Rail Assistance.
In this episode, Rail Forum CEO Elaine Clark OBE is joined by Jay Shen, CEO and Founder of Transreport, to explore how accessibility, inclusion, and technology are helping to create a safer railway for everyone.
Together, they discuss how Transreport’s Passenger Assistance Management System is transforming the travel experience for Disabled passengers, older travellers, and those with additional access needs. Aiming to improve communication, increase confidence, and help frontline staff to provide more consistent, dignified support.
The conversation highlights an important dimension of safety that is sometimes overlooked: psychological safety. For many passengers, feeling confident, respected, and supported is just as important as physical safety when travelling by rail. At a time when our industry is undergoing its most significant transformation in a generation, this episode serves as a timely reminder that safety in its fullest sense must include everyone.
Dylan Jones, Communications Executive, Rail Safety Week
“Rail Safety Week is one of the most important moments in our industry’s calendar, and this year has demonstrated once again the depth of commitment across the sector to keeping people safe. As we close the week, I’m proud that Rail Forum has been able to contribute meaningfully to those conversations, and this new podcast episode is a continuation of that work. Psychological safety and dignity are central to building a railway that works for everyone.”
Rail Safety Week is a time to reflect, engage, and act. Whether it has sparked a new initiative in your organisation, a difficult but necessary conversation, or simply a renewed sense of purpose, that is exactly what it is designed to do. Rail Forum look forward to continuing these conversations, with the 2026 Colouring Competition still active, and the dates for 2027’s campaign set to be released in September.
Visit the Rail Safety Week website to find out more.
Listen to the new podcast, Psychological Safety & Dignity – Transforming Rail Assistance, here.
Keep up to date with all the activities and events from across the week on LinkedIn.
Get involved with the 2026 Children’s Colouring Competition.