Great Western Railway has been named as Rail Business of the Year, and won two other accolades at a top industry awards dinner held in London last night.
The 20th annual Rail Business Awards took place at the London Hilton, Park Lane, and over 550 people from across the railway industry gathered to see GWR scoop Rail Business of the Year.
Presented the award by host Sandi Toskvig, GWR Managing Director Mark Hopwood said:
“While there is still much work to do to deliver the level of service I know our customers want to see, I am delighted that GWR has been recognised in this way.
“Over the last year we have delivered a new fleet of Electrostar trains for London and the Thames Valley, significantly increasing the availability of seats where they are most needed; started the roll out of new Intercity Express Trains and made significant improvements to our timetable. It would not have been possible to respond to the changes of the electrification programme, while at the same time delivery the rolling stock improvement we had hoped, without a close working partnership with Network Rail.
“Part of the biggest fleet upgrade in a generation, we have made significant steps in the right direction and I know that as we continue to meet the challenges together we will deliver a railway fit for the future.”
Great Western Railway also the top award for Rolling Stock Excellence, for its introduction of electric trains to the Great Western Mainline; Safety and Security Excellence for working in partnership with Severnside Community Rail Partnership to resolve anti-social behavior by school students on the Severn Beach Line, and was shortlisted for Training and Development Excellence for its Leadership Academy Great Experience Makers training programmes.
The Rail Business Awards are open to any company of any size that conducts business within the UK rail industry, the RBA recognises and celebrates the best of those businesses.