Thousands of railway staff across the South East are getting a new look, while their old uniforms are being reused to support charities and community organisations.
More than 5,000 employees working across Southern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express and Great Northern have been issued with new uniforms designed to make staff easy to recognise while also improving comfort and practicality.
The new clothing includes a Four Brand Stripe intended to create a consistent look across the four train companies, alongside new neckwear, ties, gilets and base layers.
Govia Thameslink Railway says 100 per cent of the retired uniforms will either be reused, recycled or repurposed rather than sent to waste.
Unworn clothing has been donated to a number of charities, including organisations helping disadvantaged people prepare for job interviews, families struggling with the cost of school uniforms and people experiencing homelessness.
Lisa Stanford, GTR’s Uniform Contracts Manager, said: “I'm delighted to see our new uniform rolled out across Southern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express and Great Northern.
“As well as giving colleagues a modern and consistent look, it gave us an opportunity to think carefully about what happened to the clothing it replaced.
“It's fantastic to know that while our staff are enjoying their new uniforms, the old ones are beginning a new chapter helping communities across our network.
“By working with charities and community organisations, we've ensured every item can be recycled, reused or repurposed, helping people and reducing waste at the same time.”
Unworn shirts, trousers, waistcoats and belts have been donated to Suited & Booted in London, which supports disadvantaged men preparing for job interviews and employment.
The charity says some of the donated clothing has already been worn by people who have since secured jobs.
Suited & Booted Chief Executive Maria Lenn said: “Demand for our support is huge at the moment and we’re so grateful for GTR’s generosity in helping our clients find work.
“The men we support come from all sorts of backgrounds, but they have one thing in common: they want to find work and change their lives.”
Winter jackets are also being used to support people experiencing homelessness through the Single Homeless Project in London.
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