Southeastern Railway

Welcoming the next generation of rail talent 🚆 We're excited to introduce four talented graduates who've joined us through our 2025 Graduate Scheme – and they've already made their mark in their first few weeks. ⭐Meet our 2025 graduates⭐: Maryam Raza is with our HR Data Analytics team, bringing her Mathematics degree from the University of Greenwich. Having previously analysed cancer incidence rates using Cancer Research UK data, she's now developing her Excel and dashboard skills to drive results for our business. Fun fact: her grandfather worked on the railway, and her first day with us was also her dad's birthday – making it extra special. Hasan Ahmati joined our Insights Team with a First Class degree in Computer Science from the University of Greenwich, where he was Vice-President of the AI Society. He's passionate about using data to improve customer experience and operational efficiency, learning how insights turn into actions across the business. Despite once having a huge fear of heights, he now loves hiking and climbing mountains! Rheana Rai is working with our Data-Led Tasking team in Revenue and Enforcement in Ashford. A Software Engineering graduate from Canterbury Christ Church University, she developed an augmented reality maths game for her dissertation. She's now building Power BI dashboards to enhance customer experience – and she once walked the Skywalk around the Macau Tower to prove she can do anything she sets her mind to. Elliott Frost is our Train Planning Graduate, currently with the Timetable Specification team ensuring services meet demand during major events like football matches and concerts. With a Law and Sociology degree from Canterbury Christ Church University, he's bringing empathy and teamwork from his previous roles refereeing youth football and supporting legal aid applications. Fun fact: he's related to Shaun Williamson (Barry from EastEnders!). Their induction wasn't your typical office orientation. They tackled 'GradMaster' challenges with mentors, embarked on a two-day scavenger hunt across our network making station announcements, visiting our Integrated Control Centre, and exploring where Britain's fastest domestic fleet is maintained. One standout moment? Elliott and Rheana helped a young passenger who'd missed his stop, turning his tears into laughter and getting him safely home – showing how our values come to life from day one. This year's scheme was offered exclusively to students from Canterbury Christ Church University and the University of Greenwich, as part of our partnership with the The Purpose Coalition to create opportunities for those who live or study on our network. As we celebrate Railway 200, there's never been a better time to inspire the next generation to build their future in rail. Welcome to the team! 👏 #GraduateScheme #RailwayCareers #EarlyCareers

We're thrilled to announce that our Tiny Moments campaign has won Best Print Collateral at the Recruitment Marketing Awards, thanks to our collaboration with Blackbridge Communications. "When we set out to launch our new ways of working, we wanted to create something memorable, rather than just another slide deck," explains Head of Organisational Development Kirsten Howes FCIPD. "The result was a real-life 'applause wall' – a powerful recognition display that celebrated genuine moments where our leaders were already demonstrating our ways of working." Each leader received a personalised postcard recognising a real moment where they had already demonstrated the new ways of working, which together formed a striking wall showing how small actions build the bigger picture. "The judges called it 'print with a purpose'," says Kirsten, "and we're really grateful to Blackbridge for bringing what seemed like a crazy idea to life for us." The impact has been lasting. Since we launched our new ways of working last May, more than 10,000 messages thanking colleagues for showing they care, thinking 'what if?' and making great things happen have been shared across the company through our Applause Wall. Our ways of working are woven through our policies, recruitment processes and underpin everything we do, every day. Photo of our People Director Steve Foster and Kirsten Howes FCIPD with the award. #Railway #Awards #NewWaysOfWorking

We are rolling out 3D maps over the coming months across 139 stations following a successful 18-month trial. This is exactly the kind of practical innovation that makes a real difference to passengers. The results speak for themselves: clearer navigation, better journey planning, and increased confidence for travellers—especially those with accessibility requirements or visiting unfamiliar stations. 🗺70 stations getting new 3D maps 🗺️ 69 stations receiving updated 2D maps 🗺All maps will be available directly on our website 🗺Rollout complete by March 2026 As Tina Owusu, our Head of Inclusive Customer Experience, notes: "We believe these improvements will make a big difference to all customers, but particularly those with accessibility requirements or those travelling to a station for the first time." #Accessibility #CustomerExperience #InclusiveDesign

Why we change our autumn timetable (and why it matters to you)....... Picture this: 50 million leaves fall onto our tracks every autumn. When compressed under train wheels, they form a thin layer which can be as treacherous and slippery as black ice. Our drivers need more time to stop and start the trains as the wheels have less grip on the tracks. We know how important it is to have a train you can rely on – whether you’re heading to work, meeting friends, or just getting away for the day. We work hard all year to prepare but still need to take some extra steps at this time of year to keep you moving safely and on time. Here's our approach: We’ve seen in previous years that proactively making changes to our timetable helps us deliver a better, more reliable service – so you can plan your journey and travel with confidence. Making a small number of changes to services which we know are most impacted by autumn can help to prevent trains arriving late at key junctions (such as Tonbridge). When this happens, delays can quickly build up and cause knock-on effects – especially during peak times. What's changed: 🍂 Some retimed departures (slightly earlier or later) 🍂 Adjusted calling patterns at quieter times on weekdays 🍂 New all-day timetable adjustments on the Chatham Mainline 🍂 Slightly earlier weekend departure times in some areas But here's the good news: Our integrated railway means we can take a joined-up approach across track and train. By amending the timetable, alongside extra efforts to maintain the track we can reduce the impacts of autumn and provide a better service for customers. But, we want to go beyond simply changing our timetable and also explain why these changes are necessary.. Lucy Bryant, our Campaigns Manager leading the campaign, puts it perfectly: "We wanted to move away from just announcing changes and instead help customers understand the 'why' behind them. Autumn on the railway is challenging, but by being upfront and proactive, we can turn a period of uncertainty into one where customers know what to expect and can plan with confidence." Want to see how we're preparing our infrastructure for autumn? Check out this link https://lnkd.in/eeqMUrU7 Your journey matters. That's why we're planning ahead. #RailwayLife #CustomerService #Southeastern #AutumnReady #TrainPlanning

Our colleagues from Southeastern, Network Rail Southern Region and GTR (Govia Thameslink Railway) gathered at the Maha Lakshmi Vidhya Bhavan temple in Honor Oak Park to celebrate Diwali – the Festival of Lights. It was so wonderful to see so many people come together, chatting with one another and embracing the spirit of light, joy and togetherness that Diwali represents. Organized by Rabin Kandel, Chair of CultuRail, the celebration included the traditional lighting of Diyas, led by Sathi Singh (Head of PMO and Co-Chair of CultuRail), alongside Izzy White (Organisational Development Partner) and Ruth Busby OBE (GTR People Director). We heard some lovely reflections from Rabin, Sathi, Izzy, Ruth, Kim Hollands (Chair of the Armed Forces Network), and Rheana R. (Data-Driven Graduate) – all sharing messages about renewal, community, and the importance of recognising the rich diversity across our railway and the traditions that make Diwali so special. The afternoon continued with an absolutely delicious vegetarian Diwali lunch accompanied with traditional sweets and songs. A huge thank you to everyone who joined, supported and helped organise this special event – and to the team at Maha Lakshmi Vidhya Bhavan temple for their warm welcome and hospitality. Together, we captured the true spirit of Diwali: light overcoming darkness, and unity through shared celebration. ✨ #Diwali #Inclusion #Diversity #RailwayFamily #CultuRail

This week is Baby Loss Awareness Week – a time to acknowledge the profound impact of losing a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death, or other circumstances. At Southeastern, we're launching 'Baby Steps' – a new peer support initiative designed to provide compassionate, confidential conversations for colleagues navigating the complex emotions of baby loss and bereavement. This initiative was shaped by Sera Bains, one of our Railway Enforcement Managers, who courageously shared her own experience of baby loss to help others feel genuinely understood and supported. Sera's influence is transforming how we approach these sensitive conversations, ensuring every individual's experience is validated and honoured. Baby Steps will complement our existing wellbeing support – including Mental Health Advocates and Trauma Risk Management (TRiM) – by offering an additional, peer-led option for those who need it. We believe no one should face these challenging moments alone. As we continue building a culture of compassion and understanding, we're reminded that creating space for difficult conversations is not just important – it's essential. https://lnkd.in/g8Adj2pw #BabyLossAwarenessWeek #WorkplaceWellbeing #PeerSupport #MentalHealthAtWork

Every second counts in a cardiac emergency. That's why we're delighted to have partnered with Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust for Restart a Heart Day. Today Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust resuscitation team set up on platform 1 at Maidstone East during rush hour, teaching commuters and school children lifesaving CPR techniques and how to use a defibrillator. With more than 30,000 cardiac arrests happening outside hospitals every year in the UK, yet only half of adults knowing how to respond in a medical emergency, events like this can truly save lives. Our colleague Sebastian Szymanski knows this first hand. In 2018, he and a colleague used a defibrillator at Maidstone East to help save a passenger's life before paramedics arrived. "Getting people home safe every day is part of the job, but training and knowledge can make a real difference," said Sebastian. "It was great to see so many passengers and staff taking time out of their busy mornings to learn what to do in an emergency." Lesley Higham, Resuscitation Officer at MTW, added: "Many commuters were surprised at how straightforward CPR is once you know the steps. It's incredibly empowering to witness people gain the confidence to act decisively in an emergency — because in those critical moments, their actions could mean the difference between life and death." Since 2022, we've had Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at all Southeastern stations. In the last year alone, they've been used 243 times by station staff and passengers. Remember: If someone is in cardiac arrest, dial 999 immediately. The operator will guide you to the nearest defibrillator and provide the access code. Thank you to Maidstone East Station Manager Caroline Wallis and Area Manager David Atkinson for making this happen! Learn more about defibrillators at our stations: https://lnkd.in/enKNYaK5 #RestartAHeartDay #CPR #Lifesaving Photo Credit: Andy Jones Photography

💓 Learn Lifesaving Skills Tomorrow at Maidstone East Restart a Heart Day | Thursday 16 October 8.30am-9.30am | Platform 1 Tomorrow, we're partnering with Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust to give our customers the chance to learn vital CPR skills and how to use a defibrillator – skills that could save a life. More than 30,000 cardiac arrests occur outside hospital every year. The survival rate is less than 1 in 10. Only half of UK adults know how to help in a medical emergency. Staff from the hospital resuscitation team along with our colleagues including Sebastian Szymanski - who discovered the importance of these skills first-hand in 2018 when a passenger was taken ill at Maidstone East. Whether you're commuting through or have a few minutes to spare, stop by Platform 1 and learn skills that could help you save a life. Your few minutes tomorrow could mean everything to someone in an emergency. 💙 Additionally 📅 St John Ambulance will be at Margate Station tomorrow, offering CPR and defibrillator training to customers between 07:00 and 12:00. To learn more about defibrillators at Southeastern stations and find out where your nearest defibrillator is located, visit: https://lnkd.in/eHbdFsJz #RestartAHeartDay #CPR #Lifesaving #CommunitySafety #MaidstoneEast #FirstAid #SaveALife #Margate

Our partnership with Missing People charity has reached a significant milestone. As of Monday 13 October, we've launched a scheme offering safe and free travel to help missing people get home. When Missing People locates someone who needs to get home, they contact our Eyewitness team with a pre-agreed code. This allows us to arrange free travel immediately and ensures our colleagues on the route are ready to provide support. "This is a huge step forward for our collaboration with Missing People Charity and re-uniting families with their loved ones," says Safeguarding Liaison Manager Gemma Lemon (Davis). Our customer-facing colleagues are often in a unique position to make a real difference. That's why our Safeguarding team has established a network of Missing People Ambassadors – colleagues who dedicate time alongside their daily duties to raise awareness and support others who may encounter missing people on our network. Conductor Instructor and Ambassador Alexander Gresswell shares his experience: "After settling into my day-to-day role, I wanted to see if there was anything else I could do... Nearly a year in, I am sure that I made the right decision." Alexander even organized our participation in Missing People's Monopoly-themed walk with just two weeks' notice, helping to raise vital awareness across the transport sector. This initiative is funded through our Customer and Community Improvement Fund (CCIF), which continues to make a real difference in our local community. #MissingPeople #CCIF https://lnkd.in/g7H3aAA

A couple of weeks ago, Muslims in Rail (MiR) and cultuRAIL’s Aysha Begum‑Farrugia, Driver at Grove Park, helped shape a landmark event – the launch of the Muslim Railway Heritage Exhibition and Documentary at the Houses of Parliament, part of the national Railway 200 celebrations.   The evening honoured pioneering Muslims whose dedication helped build Britain’s rail industry. We’re proud that Abul Rahman and Adam Ilyas featured in the film and display, sharing their stories from across the decades. Speakers Baroness Baroness Manzila Uddin, Sir Andrew Haines, Emma Roberts, and David Horne reflected on the importance of diversity, heritage and unity across the railway. “It was an honour to help bring this historic evening to life,” said Aysha. “These stories remind us that railways are built not just from steel and tracks, but from people and communities.” The exhibition will continue its journey – next stopping at Glasgow Central Station on 11 October. #MuslimsInRail #RailwayFamily #Railway200