Trueform is a leading UK manufacturer of signs, digital displays and platform furniture. Its products are used across the transport network, enhancing journeys by train, tram, bus and light rail.

In this article, CEO Jonathan Morley – an experienced business leader with a background in product design – argues that organisations shouldn’t underestimate the value of high-quality platform infrastructure.

When does a rail journey begin? As a passenger boards their train and finds a seat? Or earlier still, in the station environment?

It’s an interesting question, and one the industry should consider. Because, while it’s easy to overlook station hardware, platform shelters, digital displays and signage are important physical touchpoints – the first assets a customer interacts with on their journey.

And across the network, there is room for improvement. According to a report by the National Audit Office, passenger satisfaction remains low with “many stations and for many of the facilities provided at them.”

That’s why we encourage organisations not to settle for subpar infrastructure. If the rail industry wants to increase ridership, it must create environments that align with modern expectations. Which means both premium architecture, and the kind of high-quality hardware people can picture themselves using.

At Trueform, we understand station hardware better than most. We’ve been supplying products to the global passenger transport market for almost 50 years. Every day, millions of passengers interact with our products as they travel by train, bus, or light rail. We like to think of Trueform as the industry’s silent partner, quietly facilitating and enhancing journeys across the transport network. In the UK capital alone, we are responsible for 36,000 Transport for London surface transport assets.

When it comes to sourcing these assets, some organisations prioritise cost. We’d urge them to take a different approach, considering the value they could unlock by investing in high-quality, home-grown products.

It’s not just about improving the passenger experience. In today’s procurement environment, sustainability is a key concern – and it begins, in part, with a product’s carbon footprint. Overseas shipping significantly increases this footprint, which is why we believe it pays to invest in UK-made equipment. Indeed, Trueform designs and manufactures all its hardware in the UK, operating from a West London facility.

We also encourage transport organisations to consider their equipment’s inherent social value. Buying British is an opportunity to support UK manufacturing and invest public money in the UK economy.

And in the UK, it’s often easier to verify that equipment is being manufactured safely and ethically. Customers can visit Trueform’s London manufacturing facility, for example, following products from design office to shop floor.

This also gives them confidence in the quality of products, which should be manufactured to the highest standards – and in compliance with any relevant codes and regulations.

Finally, reputable UK companies can provide responsive aftercare, ensuring that these essential assets remain in optimum condition. At Trueform, we don’t just design and manufacture hardware – we also maintain it, responding quickly to requests for support. Our network of depots, teams, and equipment enables us to provide this lifetime maintenance service across the UK.

In short, we believe cheap station hardware is a false economy. It pays to procure responsibly – and with quality in mind. Transport organisations should see this equipment not as an expense, but a necessary investment – an opportunity to enhance station environments.

Because today’s consumers expect a certain level of quality and comfort – in the workplace, in shops and restaurants, and in civic spaces. Transport environments risk falling short; a broken digital display, drafty platform shelter, or shoddy seat can colour a passenger’s entire travel experience, alienating them before they even board their train. What’s more, second rate spaces damage rail’s reputation. Passengers are also taxpayers. When the facilities their money helps to fund fall short, they can be left feeling disenfranchised.

Instead, the industry must create comfortable, accessible spaces that attract and delight customers. And whether it’s the car they drive or the coffee they drink, people feel their choices reflect on them. If a transport experience doesn’t align with their self-image, they might look to other modes.

Take aviation. In airports, there are no waiting rooms; passengers assemble in ‘departure lounges’, fully equipped with high-quality hardware. These premium spaces help to transform travel from a process into pleasure. We’d urge rail to take a similar approach, investing in quality hardware that creates first-rate transport environments.

The UK’s rail industry is world-leading – why shouldn’t its spaces reflect this fact? With the right design choices, facilities, and infrastructure, rail environments can become a shop window for the service, meeting and even exceeding customer expectations.