East Coast Mainline: The benefits

East Coast Mainline is a train operator that runs frequent services between King’s Cross station in London and the East Midlands, Yorkshire, north-east England and Scotland. It has almost 3,000 employees working at stations, depots and offices between Inverness and London. Set out below are the company’s principal benefits.

Pensions

East Coast Mainline benefits
  • A defined benefit scheme, open to new entrants. Employees contribute 11.9% of pensionable pay and the organisation contributes 17.85%.
  • Life assurance is available at four-times salary as part of the pension.
  • A trust-based defined contribution scheme is available for staff who have drawn down their DB pension but continue to work for the organisation.

Healthcare

  • Employee-paid health cash plan.
  • Private medical insurance for about 50 senior directors and managers.
  • Employee assistance programme.

Voluntary benefits

  • Travel discounts on all East Coast Mainline trains.
  • Employee discounts scheme.
  • Computer and smartphone scheme.
  • Bikes for work.
  • Discounts at local gyms.
  • Childcare vouchers.

Additional benefits

  • Company car allowance, mainly for legacy staff from previous franchises.
  • Policies around career breaks, flexible working, parental leave and extended leave.
  • Long-service awards.
  • Recognition programme.
  • A workplace savings scheme, provided by the Transport Credit Union, which pays about 4% interest.