The company, which has turned itself around in the last 18 months, beat off stiff competition from train operators, including Chiltern Railways, London Underground and National Express at the national Rail Business Awards ceremony in London.

Over the last two years, First Great Western’s performance has risen by more than 10 per cent, with over 92 per cent of trains arriving on time.

There has also been a 10 per cent increase in passenger satisfaction scores, with 82 per cent of customers now happy with the service First Great Western provides.

Presenting the award, judges said: “The joint efforts of colleagues across the company have seen First Great Western move from bottom of the industry performance league table to seventh place out of more than19 train operators.”

Managing Director Mark Hopwood said: “This is a really fantastic achievement – we have come a long way in providing a good service for our customers. I want to say a big thank you to everyone at First Great Western for their hard work over the last couple of years and to our customers for their continued support.

“There is still more to do, but I’m really proud of everyone and what we have achieved so far.”

First was announced Rail Business of the Year, and First Great Western was not the only operator within the organisation to scoop an award last night.

First Capital Connect received the Internal Communications Excellence award, while First TransPennine Express scooped first place in the Environment Innovation of the Year category.

In the individual categories, Daniel Williams of First Capital Connect was named Young Professional of the Year.

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First Great Western was named Train Operator of the Year at an awards ceremony last night.

The company, which has turned itself around in the last 18 months, beat off stiff competition from train operators, including Chiltern Railways, London Underground and National Express at the national Rail Business Awards ceremony in London.

Over the last two years, First Great Western’s performance has risen by more than 10 per cent, with over 92 per cent of trains arriving on time.

There has also been a 10 per cent increase in passenger satisfaction scores, with 82 per cent of customers now happy with the service First Great Western provides.

Presenting the award, judges said: “The joint efforts of colleagues across the company have seen First Great Western move from bottom of the industry performance league table to seventh place out of more than19 train operators.”

Managing Director Mark Hopwood said: “This is a really fantastic achievement – we have come a long way in providing a good service for our customers. I want to say a big thank you to everyone at First Great Western for their hard work over the last couple of years and to our customers for their continued support.

“There is still more to do, but I’m really proud of everyone and what we have achieved so far.”

First was announced Rail Business of the Year, and First Great Western was not the only operator within the organisation to scoop an award last night.

First Capital Connect received the Internal Communications Excellence award, while First TransPennine Express scooped first place in the Environment Innovation of the Year category.

In the individual categories, Daniel Williams of First Capital Connect was named Young Professional of the Year.

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First Great Western was named Train Operator of the Year at an awards ceremony last night.

The majority of passengers (83%) across Great Britain are satisfied with the overall service they receive on the railway, the National Passenger Survey has revealed today.

Commenting on the findings of Great Britain’s largest passenger survey, Passenger Focus welcomed improvements to London Midland (87%), First TransPennine Express (89%) and Virgin Trains (89%) overall satisfaction scores.

Anthony Smith, Passenger Focus chief executive, said: “The investment in faster and more frequent Virgin Trains services and London Midland’s new trains have resulted in much better scores from passengers. The message from passengers is clear – investment does pay off.”

While passengers said they were happy with rail services overall, work is needed to improve the areas passengers have identified as their top priorities. Scores for value for money slipped a point (45% passengers satisfied) and only 36% of passengers said they were satisfied with how well their train company handled delays.

The NPS results show that when the train company is able to run its services on time, passengers are more likely to report that they’re satisfied with services overall. What continues to annoy passengers is the way delays are managed by the industry and a poor performance in this area often results in passengers reporting greater dissatisfaction with the train company.

Mr Smith commented that the Autumn 2009 survey happened before the winter disruption which saw many passengers left out in the cold. He said: “The recent snow and industrial action, as well as the NPS results, tell us the industry has a long way to go when it comes to managing disruption. First Capital Connect, for example, has a lot to do to restore their passengers’ faith – boosting the mean compensation package on offer for recent poor performance would be a good start.”

Passenger Focus welcomed improved passenger satisfaction scores with punctuality, up two points to 83% and long distance operators’ improved punctuality results – specifically on the former National Express East Coast (90%), Virgin Trains (90%), First TransPennine Express (88%), CrossCountry (85%) and East Midlands Trains (85%). But the watchdog now believes the industry should improve how it classifies services as being ‘on-time’.

Mr Smith said: “Trains arriving on time is a top priority for passengers – the industry should work on trains arriving at each station according to the timetable, not just at the final destination. And, we would like the industry to look at how it records punctuality. On time should mean just that, not within the five or 10 minutes leeway currently accepted.”

Almost all passengers travelling on open access operators Wrexham Shropshire (98% of passengers satisfied) and Grand Central (95%) said they received a good service from their train company. Additionally, Heathrow Express (93%), MerseyRail (91%), Chiltern Railways (91%), ScotRail (90%), Heathrow Connect (90%) and c2c (90%), all continue to be strong performers.

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83% of Great Britain’s passengers satisfied but train companies need to improve on delays

The independent passenger watchdog will be putting North West bus and rail passenger transport issues centre stage at a meeting in Liverpool.

Passenger Focus will be asking the industry questions including how it is addressing overcrowded services in the region, the conditions of stations, improving disruption processes and the effects of recent flooding on public transport and lessons learned.

Louise Ellman, House of Commons Transport Select Committee chair, will join the Passenger Focus board at the event, held in public, which will explore passenger views and experiences of public transport in the region.

Also attending is Northern Rail managing director Heidi Mottram, Vernon Barker, managing director of TransPennine Express and head of Merseyrail, Bart Schmeink.

Colin Foxall, Passenger Focus chairman, said: “These meetings are an excellent way for Passenger Focus to explore and explain the passenger experience to those who are making decisions on the future of public transport in the North West. Passengers are paying for these services and it’s crucial for them to be given an opportunity to voice how they want their public transport delivered.”

The Passenger Focus Board meeting will be held on Wednesday 16 December at Hall 3, ACC Liverpool from 9am to 1pm.

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North West train and bus services under the spotlight

Dalton Railway Station.

Dalton railway station is being served by the town of Dalton-in-Furness in Cumbria, England. This train station is located on the Furness Line from Barrow-in-Furness to Lancaster.Generally, only local services are being operated by Northern Rail stop at the station.However, a few longer-distances services are being operated by First TransPennine Express which also uses the Dalton railway station .

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Dalton Railway Station

‘Back a Winner by Train’ provides even better value for racegoers in 2009

Racegoers can start the British Flat season on a winning streak by travelling by train and saving money on course admission and the cost of a bet with totepool.

Anyone travelling by train to ten selected racecourses throughout the North and Scotland are on to a sure-fire winner with the ‘Back a Winner by Train’ promotion for 2009.

The popular scheme enables customers to obtain discounted admission into the Grandstand/Paddock/County Enclosures at participating racecourses – and for 2009 the discount has been increased to £4 at all racecourses apart from York which remains at £3, but includes (for the first time) the prestigious four-day Ebor Festival in August.
The scheme runs from the opening day of the 2009 British Flat season on turf at Doncaster on Saturday 28 Sunday 29 March and concludes on 29 December.

Now in its 23rd year, the promotion continues to be backed by train operator, First TransPennine Express and offers racegoers discount into the Grandstand/Paddock enclosures at Beverley, Carlisle, Cartmel, Doncaster, Hamilton Park, Musselburgh Newcastle, Redcar, Thirsk and York.

To complement the savings on admission, racegoers have the opportunity of obtaining £2 off a toteplacepot bet of £5 or more. This forms part of the voucher they receive when buying tickets at selected stations throughout the North and Scotland when they go racing by train.

David Crocker, marketing manager, First TransPennine Express, said: “We are delighted to support this increasingly popular promotion in its twenty-third year, which now offers even better value for money. We believe racegoers appreciate the advantages of taking the train and having a great time without worrying about driving.”

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Go Horse Racing by Train

Northern Rail  -  Train Company Info File

Franchise Start Date: 12th December 2004
Franchise End Date: 11th September 2013

Passenger Journeys, 2007 – 08: 78.8 million
Passenger kilometres, 2007 – 08: 1,820.8 million
Train kilometres, 2007 – 08: 42.0 million

Principal Routes
Northern Rail has an extensive route network, operating services in the following counties:

* Cumbria
* Lancashire
* Merseyside
* Greater Manchester
* Cheshire
* Staffordshire
* Derbyshire
* Nottinghamshire
* South Yorkshire
* Lincolnshire
* West Yorkshire
* East Riding of Yorkshire
* North Yorkshire
* Cleveland
* Durham
* Tyne & Wear
* Northumberland

Overview
Northern Rail is a joint venture between Serco Group and NedRailways. NedRailways is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dutch Railways (NS).

When the franchise commenced in December 2004, it took over the majority of services that had previously been operated by First North Western and Arriva Trains Northern. The longer-distance services of these two operators had, in February 2004, been transferred to TransPennine Express.

Northern Rail operates services in five out of six of the English PTEs (Merseyside, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and Tyne & Wear) and works closely with each PTE in developing and operating services.

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Northern Rail – Info File

First TransPennine Express  -  Train Company Info File

Franchise Start Date: 1st February 2004
Franchise End Date: 31st January 2012

Passenger Journeys, 2007 – 08: 18.5 million
Passenger kilometres, 2007 – 08: 942.2 million
Train kilometres, 2007 – 08: 14.0 million
Principal Routes
TransPennine Express operate three principal routes:

* North TransPennine: Liverpool Lime Street via Warrington Central, and Manchester Airport, to Manchester Piccadilly, Huddersfield, Leeds, York, Scarborough, Northallerton, Middlesbrough, Darlington, Durham, Newcastle, Selby and Hull
* South TransPennine: Manchester Airport, Manchester Piccadilly and Stockport to Sheffield, Doncaster, Scunthorpe, Grimsby and Cleethorpes
* North West: Manchester Airport, Manchester Piccadilly and Salford Crescent to Bolton, Preston, Blackpool North, Lancaster, Barrow-in-Furness, Kendal and Windermere

Overview
TransPennine Express was formed in February 2004 by combining the longer distance routes of Arriva Trains Northern and First North Western. The more local services of these two operators were combined into the Northern Rail franchise, which started in December 2004.

TransPennine Express is a joint venture between First Group and Keolis.

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First Trans Pennine Express – Info File