Long-distance train operator CrossCountry has launched its 2026 Social Value report, outlining the positive impact of the business on people, places and the planet.
Launched on Friday (17 April), the report demonstrates how CrossCountry embeds social value into everyday work – from improving rail accessibility and creating inclusive employment opportunities, to supporting communities and enabling lower carbon travel.
In the last year, CrossCountry’s reported Social Value has risen to £184 million*. This increase reflects more transparent reporting and improved social value monitoring across community, social and environmental activity.
This work on social value aligns with CrossCountry’s wider Sustainability Strategy and is structured around the same three pillars: people, places and planet. Social value acts as the “common currency” to consistently measure and understand the impact of each aspect of the Sustainability Strategy.
This year’s report is more transparent than ever, including both direct and avoided emissions** within the reporting. This enables CrossCountry to more accurately measure its positive social impact in supporting UK decarbonisation and sustainability ambitions.
Jessica Lockwood, CrossCountry’s Environment & Sustainability Manager, said: “Social value gives us a clear way to understand and measure the difference that the CrossCountry network makes – beyond just the journeys we operate.
“Expanding the scope of our reporting means we can better tell the story about the outcomes we deliver for people, communities and the environment – and ensure our strategy drives meaningful long‑term impact.”
CrossCountry’s renewed focus on social value is having real-world impact. Work with the Newcastle Rail Academy has led to two onboard job roles taken by Rail Academy students – the beginning of two promising new rail careers.
Elsewhere, work with conservation partners GreenTheUK and the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (formerly Sustrans) is improving biodiversity on the Lias Line: a National Cycle Network route which passes through Leamington Spa.
Xanthe Caldecott, MD & Co-Founder of GreenTheUK, said: “Our partnership with CrossCountry shows how targeted investment in local nature recovery can deliver meaningful benefits for both communities and biodiversity. By supporting biodiversity enhancement along the Lias Line, this project is creating connected habitats that help wildlife thrive while making greener, more nature-rich routes for people to enjoy.
“It’s a strong example of how transport networks can support local action that links biodiversity recovery with healthier, more sustainable ways to travel.”
Jim Whiteford, Head of Biodiversity at the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to CrossCountry for supporting our wildlife conservation work along the Lias Line Greenway. With support from their colleagues and local volunteers, we’ve been able to plant trees, install a range of wildlife boxes, and sow native wildflowers along the route. These improvements are helping to create a greener, more biodiverse and climate‑resilient space for everyone to enjoy.
“Crucially, their support has also allowed us to train and upskill our volunteers, ensuring this work leaves a lasting legacy.”
Not only supporting local community projects in CrossCountry’s key routes, this investment also reinforces CrossCountry’s focus on improving multi-modal journey connections and on low carbon, active travel opportunities.
Thomas Raynor, CrossCountry’s Head of Strategy, said: “Our Social Value Strategy reinforces that CrossCountry’s purpose goes far beyond running trains. It’s about creating opportunity, supporting regional growth and enabling lower‑carbon choices at a national scale.
“This approach allows us to turn our values into measurable outcomes – building a railway that generates real, lasting value for the places and people we serve.”
Read and download CrossCountry’s Social Value report at: https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/community-hub/social-value
*Social Value is quantified using the Rail Social Value Tool by Loop, which measures the impact across Economic, Social and Environmental outcomes.
** Direct emissions (Scope 1) are greenhouse gases released directly from sources owned or controlled by a company, such as fuel combustion in company vehicles or on-site furnaces. Avoided emissions (often called Scope 4) are emission reductions that occur outside CrossCountry’s business due to the availability of carbon-reducing transport options.
