PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
East Midlands rolling stock refurb adds wi-fi to London services
Every East Midlands train into London now offers wi-fi to pas- sengers.
Its fleet of 27 Meridians and 11 HSTs offer the service free to first- class passengers, but charge for standard class.
It has fitted wi-fi over the last six months to trains serving the mainline route to London from Sheffield, Chesterfield, Derby, Nottingham, Leicester, Market Harborough, Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough.
David Horne, customer service director for East Midlands Trains, said: “We are very pleased with how the wi-fi service has been received by our customers and we have received some very com- plimentary feedback on how fast and easy it is to use. Through the £15m refurbishment of our trains to London, passengers are set to benefit from a greatly improved
‘One-Wales’ strategy for Network Rail
Network Rail has announced plans for another of its devolved business units, covering Wales and parts of the English border counties. It will involve stronger ties with the Welsh Assembly Government, Network Rail chief executive David Higgins said.
He called it a ‘one-Wales’ strategy and said: “We’re devolving ac- countability so we can get closer to our customers and be in a better position to deliver improvements to passengers and freight users, while forging stronger ties with the Welsh Assembly Government to
unlock any untapped potential on the railway.
“The Wales route managing direc- tor will, in effect, be running their own infrastructure railway busi- ness with significant annual turno- ver and resources. This represents a significant change of emphasis to give our people on the routes the ability and the means to de- liver a bigger, better, more af- fordable railway. However, we’re determined not to undermine the progress that has been made, but to build on the strengths of what we’ve achieved.
Rail engineering firm in take-over deal
Engineering firm Renew has bought rail and energy specialist Amco for just under £20 million. Amco’s clients include Network Rail and many power companies. The final deal is worth £26.9 mil- lion, including an initial considera- tion of £19.8 million, compensa- tion of £0.9 million for lock-box profits and £6.2 million in deferred consideration. Renew’s chief ex- ecutive Brian May said: “We are
delighted to welcome the staff and management of Amco to the Renew group. The acquisition of Amco allows Renew to increase and broaden the scale of its spe- cialist engineering operations, as well as adding to the range of services we can provide to our customers. Amco has a strong and highly experienced manage- ment team and I look forward to working with them in the future.”
In a statement to shareholders, Renew said: “Amco operates as a specialist engineering business primarily in the rail and energy markets. Renew is already present in both of these markets and the acquisition of Amco will enable Renew to increase and broaden the scale of its operations, as well as adding to the range of services that the enlarged group can pro- vide to its customers.
“Amco’s activities in each of the rail and energy markets do not compete with the current activi- ties of Renew.
“Historically, the margins earned by Amco have been higher than the average margins earned by Renew and the board expects that the acquisition will lead to an increase in the average margins achieved.”
rail technology magazine Feb/Mar 11 | 101
“There will continue to be a critical role for a supporting centre that helps make the most of economies of scale. The railway still needs to be planned and operated as a network which operates seam- lessly. And we must maintain the company’s focus on efficient and effective management of long-life railway assets.”
The Scotland and Wessex routes will be the first to have power de- volved, from next month. The new Wales business unit will oversee the management and operation of the railway in south Wales,
mid Wales, north Wales, and the Marches from a regional head- quarters in Cardiff. Historically, the railway in Wales was built and operated by separate compa- nies including the Great Western Railway and the London, Midland and Scottish company.
The new route managing director will have responsibility for safety, as well as all customer service matters, asset management out- puts and spend, operations, plan- ning and delivering maintenance and the delivery of some renewals and enhancements.
travelling environment. The full introduction of our wi-fi service really will help to enhance the customer experience and will help travellers to work even more effi- ciently whilst on the move.”
Free wi-fi access to the inter- net is also provided through the First Class lounges at Sheffield, Derby, Leicester, Nottingham and London St Pancras and the Business Lounge at East Midlands Parkway.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112