Network Rail has joined forces with regional train companies Great Western Railway (GWR) and Heathrow Express to create a new joint supervisory board to drive improvements, in the latest stage of the companies’ commitment to working closer together to improve passenger experience. The formation of this new joint board has been made to bring ‘track and train’ operations and long term planning closer together and minimise unnecessary impacts on rail users.
The Western Route Supervisory Board includes the managing directors of Network Rail Western Route, GWR and Heathrow Express; as well as a representative from passenger watchdog Transport Focus. The Supervisory Board will be independently chaired by former government rail advisor Dick Fearn. As independent chair Dick Fearn will work with the leadership teams at Network Rail, GWR and Heathrow Express to help them further align action plans, improve joint planning and drive targets that are centred on improving the passenger experience.
The board will meet every four weeks with the first meeting set to take place in April.
“Whether it’s planning essential repairs, improving services, or dealing quickly with problems, it’s much better when it’s done by one joined up team of people. … While the solutions may differ in their models for each area, the outcome will be the same – a railway that is predominantly run by an integrated local team of people with a commitment to the smooth operation of their routes,” Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, said.
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