A row has erupted over Avanti West Coast’s decision to repaint one of its trains with diversity-themed artwork.
The train operator has wrapped a new Evero train in bold artwork as part of its “Together We Roll” initiative to celebrate the “vibrant” ethnicity of the company’s workforce and the communities it serves.
The colourful livery has sparked controversy, with critics labelling it “virtue-signalling nonsense” while supporters praise it for promoting inclusion.
Digital artist Baraka Carberry created the livery, which depicts “scenes of people, culture, colours and joy” across all seven carriages of the new train.
A row has erupted over Avanti West Coast’s decision to repaint one of its trains with diversity-themed artwork
PA
Carberry, who previously designed a Windrush-themed bus wraparound for Transport for London, described it as “a living, evolving artwork that has the potential to resonate with the public”.
Weighing into the debate to give his damning verdict on the matter, Tory transport secretary Gareth Bacon slammed the initiative as “virtue-signalling nonsense”.
“Avanti West Coast can’t run a train on time but they can find the time and money for virtue-signalling nonsense,” he said.
Bacon fumed: “While passengers are stranded on platforms waiting for services that never show up, Avanti are busy patting themselves on the back for colourful train paint jobs.”
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He claimed passengers “deserve better than this farce” and need “functioning rail services” rather than initiatives that do not remedy delays and cancellations.
In an attempt to defend the initiative, Avanti West Coast customer experience director Kathryn O’Brien said: “Nothing like this has been seen on the UK’s railways.”
The newly decorated train is due to enter passenger service this summer.
“My hope is that people will connect with the universal moments captured here and reflect on their own unique legacies,” Carberry said.
O’Brien explained the artwork aims to “highlight the many people of different cultures, backgrounds and heritage who have a connection to the railway.”
The newly decorated train is due to enter passenger service this summer
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‘Diversity is key to the success of any industry,’ a minister has argued
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She said the vibrant train would spark “conversations about ethnicity and bringing a sense of togetherness across the west coast and beyond.”
Rail Minister Lord Hendy voiced support for the initiative, saying: “Diversity is key to the success of any industry.”
He said creative work like this “goes a long way in sparking conversations, encouraging inclusion and may inspire more people to choose a career in rail”.
“We still have a long way to go until we have a railway which reflects the society we live in,” Lord Hendy added.
GB News has approached Avanti West Coast for comment.
