Avanti West Coast introduces free period care onboard its trains
Avanti West Coast launches scheme that gives customers access to free period care.
• Avanti West Coast makes free period care available onboard its trains
• Scheme giving customers access to period products launches on Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025
• Initiative follows suggestions from employees to help customers when in need
Avanti West Coast customers can now access free period care onboard trains, as part of a new initiative to help those who need them.
Launching today (Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025), the ‘Package for a Friend’ scheme allows customers to request pads from staff in the onboard shop when they need them during their journey.
Alternatively, customers can use their device to place an order via Avanti West Coast’s Click and Collect service and discreetly pick up the pads from the onboard shop.
The initiative to provide free period care on trains was introduced following suggestions from colleagues, including those involved in the intercity operator’s Gender Network – a forum to make changes on topics that matter most to staff and customers.
Avanti West Coast has worked with ethical and sustainable period care brand, TOTM, to stock the environmentally friendly product across its fleet of trains. Brightly coloured posters displayed onboard trains are designed to raise awareness of how people can access them.
Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Experience Director at Avanti West Coast, said: “We want everyone to have a comfortable journey when travelling with us and know the importance of making essential items available onboard our trains to enable this. So, we’re pleased to now be offering free period care and hope our customers will feel reassured they can access them when they need during their journey.”
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Main image: TOTM period care is available to customers from Avanti West Coast's onboard shop as part of the Package for a Friend scheme.
About Avanti West Coast
Avanti West Coast, operator of intercity rail services on the West Coast Main Line, is a joint venture between FirstGroup and Trenitalia, delivering a cleaner, greener railway that drives the West Coast forward.
We’re on a mission to revolutionise train travel. Our refurbed Pendolinos returned to the rails in June 2024 following a £117m investment programme that’s delivered the best in class comfort. Known as the UK’s hardest working fleet, all 56 of these iconic trains have been transformed and now boast better seats, improved lighting, new interior carpets, customer-friendly passenger information screens, additional luggage space, power points at every seat and refurbished toilets.
Our new Evero fleet was introduced in June 2024. Built by Hitachi, the 23-strong fleet, consisting of 10 seven-carriage electric trains and 13 five-carriage bi-modes, will serve routes from London to the Midlands, Chester, North Wales and the North West, leading to a substantial cut in carbon emissions with an increase in seats, and offering improved comfort. Quieter and roomier, with more reliable Wi-Fi, wireless charging for electrical devices and a real-time customer information system, these new trains are the result of a £350m investment in sustainable travel.
We’re tackling climate change wherever we can, from reducing energy and water use to training drivers in eco-driving techniques and sourcing food and drink from local suppliers. Our goal is to be net zero carbon by 2031. We’re on track.
For the latest news, visit the Avanti West Coast Media Centre: https://newsdesk.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/
Press Office: 0845 000 3333