Customers travelling on Lumo’s East and West Coast routes in Scotland were thanked for making a greener travel choice, with thousands of wildflower seeds given away to mark World Car Free Day on Tuesday (22 September 2026).
Lumo surprised customers on selected services with special packets of wildflower seeds; a small gift designed to grow into a lasting reminder of the difference more sustainable travel choices can make.
The initiative marked World Car Free Day and celebrated the contribution customers make every time they choose to travel by rail rather than road or air.
Mike Roberts, Partnerships Manager at Lumo, said:“Every time someone chooses the train instead of taking the car, they’re making a decision that can help leave a lighter footprint. World Car Free Day felt like the perfect opportunity for us simply to say thank you.
“We hope people will take their seeds home, plant them and enjoy watching them grow. We won’t see the flowers today, but that’s rather the point – they’re a small reminder that the choices we make now can make a difference to the future.”
An average journey by train produces nearly five times less carbon emissions than making the equivalent journey by car. Choosing rail also helps reduce the number of cars on Britain’s roads, easing congestion while supporting a more sustainable way to travel.
Independent research commissioned by the Rail Delivery Group found that travelling by rail produces 85% less CO₂ per passenger than the equivalent domestic flight.
Across the routes studied, that means an average saving of 102 kg CO₂e per journey when passengers choose the train. That’s the equivalent of boiling over 20,000 cups of water.
The activity comes as Lumo continues to establish its new West Coast services between London Euston and Stirling, connecting communities including Crewe, Preston and Carlisle.
Lumo has placed sustainability at the heart of its approach to rail travel, encouraging more people to choose the train while working with organisations and communities along the routes it serves.
The World Car Free Day giveaway continues that approach by putting something tangible into customers’ hands – with the potential to leave a greener footprint long after their journey has ended.
Edinburgh is set to join over 2,000 cities across the globe to celebrate World Car Free Day tomorrow with a free, community-focused event supported by The City of Edinburgh Council and organised by Crexcell.
As a mark of respect following the death of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Edinburgh’s Car Free Day was postponed from the official date of 22 September and will now be staged on Waverley Bridge tomorrow (Sunday, 2 October) between 11am and 7pm.
Waverley Bridge will be transformed into an inclusive community hub of information, inspiration and activity encouraging people to consider alternatives to car travel in Edinburgh. The city’s public transport operators, cycling and environmental campaigners, active travel and public safety organisations are all taking part.
The Council has set an ambitious target to reduce distances travelled by car in Edinburgh by 30% over the next decade, as well as achieving Net Zero status by 2030. With transport being one of the biggest carbon emission contributors, Edinburgh’s World Car Free Day event will encourage people to consider more sustainable modes of transport for their everyday journeys.
It will raise awareness of the the options available across the city, promote the health and wellbeing benefits of active travel and offer the essential information and support people need to commit to long-term change.
Amongst those already signed up to attend are Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams, who play a significant role in reducing reliance on more carbon intensive forms of transport by providing a quick, convenient and reliable alternative to driving. Members of the team will be at Waverley Bridge to chat about their services, including Park and Ride options, and the vast opportunities for – and the benefits of using – public transport.
Police Scotland will offer support to cyclists and walkers with cycle security and personal safety advice, bike marking and general crime prevention information.
The Bike Station, which inspires new cyclists by selling reliable and affordable upcycled bikes, will be on hand to offer bike safety checks and bikes to try out. The team will have information on safe cycle routes throughout the city, and bike to work and cycle-friendly employer schemes.
There will also be a hosted reception and information point, additional bike parking, a wellbeing area with health and fitness demonstrations and classes and a chill-out zone. Local singers and bands including Sara Forshaw, Folk Drama, and The Wispz will provide the musical entertainment throughout the day.
World Car Free Day is a worldwide initiative to encourage motorists to reset how they think about travel and use more sustainable transport. It promotes the improvement of public transport, cycling and walking, and the development of healthier, greener neighbourhoods where jobs are closer to home and where shopping is within a short walk, wheel or cycle from home.
Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “Choosing more sustainable modes of transport like bus, tram, bike or walking over the car not only benefits the world around us, but can have a really positive impact on our health and quality of life. Car Free Day gives us the chance to focus on these benefits, and to help people consider how they might try alternative ways to travel.
The Council has set some ambitious goals to reduce car kms travelled by 30% in the next decade, as well as delivering on our 20-minute neighbourhood vision to enable a net zero Edinburgh where everyone can live well locally. We need to rethink the way we move around the city to meet these targets. I would encourage people to come along on 2 October to find out more about the different ways we can travel around the capital.
Neil Booth, Edinburgh Trams’ Safety Manager (Environment), added: “Car-free days provide a massive opportunity for cities to raise awareness of how pollution affects our lives, and highlight how congested roads can be used in different ways.
At Edinburgh Trams we are fully committed to helping to make Edinburgh healthier, safer and more attractive for both residents and visitors by providing a quick, convenient and reliable alternative to driving into the city centre.
Edinburgh’s ten-year City Mobility Plan aims to transform the way we move around the city, reducing emissions and air pollution, positively impacting public health and tackling congestion amongst other benefits.
