Published on: Monday, 21 September 2015
Last updated: Wednesday, 5 October 2016
Abellio Greater Anglia has been commendedfor a number of achievements at the National Rail Awards 2015.
Notable successes included:
Winners with Network Rail of Best Largestation for London Liverpool Street in the Station of the Year award
Highly commended for Bures in the SmallStation category of the Station of the Year award
Finalists in the Putting Passengers Firstcategory with Network Rail, for train "coasting" to minimise theimpact of engineering work
On London Liverpool Street the judges said:"An outstanding example of a 1990s station reconstruction being maintainedto the highest level 25 years later. Despite being one of the most difficultstations to manage, it scored highly on presentation, facilities, information,retail, cleanliness and customer service."
On Bures the judges said: "Passengersarrive through landscaped gardens to be met by further flower displays on theplatform and an immaculate waiting shelter, with a history of the line. Thisstation is a pleasure to use."
The "Coasting" project on theGreat Eastern route involved trains coasting through an area adjacent to whereoverhead line equipment renewals work was underway. This meant that passengerscould complete their journeys by train without the need for a replacement busservice. Judges said that the project "sets a great example of teamwork,creative thinking and a real desire to put passengers first."
The recognition for the train operator isthe latest external endorsement of its positive approach and progress. Earlierthis year it won the Small Scale Projects award for the "Coasting"project with Network Rail and the Cross Industry Partnership award with RSSB,Network Rail, the Department for Transport and Bombardier for thebattery-powered train (or Independently Powered Electric Multiple Unit) trial,both at the Rail Innovation Awards, and the Integrated Transport ExcellenceAward at the Rail Business Awards. It also won the Passengers Matter award atlast autumn's Community Rail Awards, for its development of more frequent trainservices, upgraded station facilities, higher customer service standards,enhanced ticket purchasing arrangements and improved integrated transport linkson the East Suffolk line between Ipswich and Lowestoft.
Abellio Greater Anglia Managing Director,Jamie Burles, said: "We are really pleased to see the proactive approachof our teams, our partners and, in the case of Bures station, our stationadopters, receiving national recognition for their efforts in raising servicestandards for customers and communities across our network. The endorsement forour efforts at stations large and small and our coasting project, illustratehow we try to deliver an excellent service for our passengers on all the routeswe operate.
“Following on from other awards fortrialling an innovative battery-powered train, our integrated transportimprovements and delivering ongoing customer-focused upgrades on the EastSuffolk Line, they illustrate how we strive to consistently offer a betterservice for travellers across every aspect of our operation."