02/09/2005

South West Trains has scooped four major awards in the prestigious National Rail Awards 2005, including the main Passenger Operator of the Year honour.

The past 12 months has seen South West Trains successfully launch a completely new timetable, introduce a £1 billion fleet of new Desiro trains and transform performance for passengers.

The awards panel judged that South West Trains was difficult to fault and the Passenger Operator of the Year award reflected a well-run business from top to bottom.

South West Trains also won Project of the Year for the massive recast of the 40-year-old timetable in December 2004. Judges described it as a smooth transition and a credit to all resulting in performance breaking the 90% barrier on a regular basis.

The Sir Robert Horton Safety Award was awarded to South West Trains and British Transport Police (BTP) for the second year running following a 20% drop in crime across the network. Two evidence gatherers have also been introduced on the South West Trains network to obtain images from CCTV cameras that can be used in court to successfully prosecute offenders.

Winchester Station came up trumps in the Medium Station of the Year, with staff recognised as highly motivated and efficient. Large car parks, a ticket hall and catering outlet on each platform and plenty of platform seats, flower pots and hanging baskets adorning the station, complete the picture for visitors. Yeovil Junction was highly commended in the same category for its all-round service.

Richmond and Southampton Central station were also highly commended in the category for Large Station of the Year with Godalming receiving the same accolade for the Small Station of the Year.

Graham Eccles, South West Trains’ Chairman and Managing Director, said: “It has been a long haul to drag ourselves up and be acknowledged by the industry as the best railway company in Britain.

“It would not have been possible without every single one of our employees working as hard as they have for so long to ensure that they can offer the best service possible to all our passengers. I am extremely proud of all our employees and proud to be part of a winning team.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:
For further information or to arrange photocalls, please contact South West Trains’ Press Office on 020 7620 5229, or visit our website at www.southwesttrains.co.uk