London Northwestern Railway (LNR) has helped eliminate over 87,000 miles of car travel – equivalent to more than three trips around the globe – by encouraging commuters to choose rail over road. To mark World Car Free Day on 22 September, LNR offered 50% off advance fares to motorists who pledged to swap their car journey for train travel. Since the campaign’s launch, participating drivers have collectively avoided 87,453 miles of car travel – surpassing three times the Earth’s circumference of 24,901 miles.

The shift has prevented an estimated 48.2 tonnes of CO2 emissions, demonstrating the significant impact even a small change to travel habits can make. Rail travel is up to five times greener than taking the car as trains emit far less pollutants per passenger-mile, helping to keep air cleaner and the planet healthier.

Sumeer Chakuu, head of sustainability at LNR, said: “Sustainability is central to everything we do, so it’s been really inspiring to see so many people choose a greener way to travel in the past month alone. Every journey shifted from road to rail helps to cut carbon emissions and ease congestion. This campaign is a powerful reminder that small everyday choices can collectively lead to meaningful change.”

LNR is also taking steps to improve environmental sustainability across its network. In 2024, the company reduced its carbon emissions by an estimated 1,338 tonnes through initiatives such as replacing aging lighting with LED bulbs at more than two thirds of its stations and installing large solar farms at its train depots in East Birmingham and Buckinghamshire.

Image: London Northwestern Railway