Transport Focus

"How many of you are planning to use the train this Christmas? For once we’re not heading up to Scotland to see my parents and I’m relieved. I suspect almost everyone relying on a train in the next two weeks will be anxious it may not run or that they end up crammed in alongside other passengers who have had their service cancelled." Train passengers face anxiety this season. Alex Robertson highlights the need for better disruption communications and realistic timetables. Find out more in our new issue of Transport User voice: https://ow.ly/XiBE50Uwq6J

🎖️ Four of our colleagues have been recognised for their outstanding contributions in the King’s New Year Honours list. Kathleen O’Malley, a project manager in our Southern region, has received a British Empire Medal for her outstanding work in creating the Routes Out of Homelessness charter for the railway. Kathleen’s efforts in promoting support and outreach services to homeless individuals in Birmingham, Manchester and London have helped more than 300 people secure temporary or permanent accommodation. Peter Gibbons, chief security officer, has received a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his leadership in delivering the UK’s £10m aid programme to Ukrainian Railways. Peter coordinated the delivery of vital equipment to ensure the continued operation of Ukraine’s rail network, spending time on the ground in Ukraine to liaise directly with Ukrainian Railways. He secured funding from the Foreign Office’s overseas development aid budget and worked closely with technical engineers to ensure the equipment was suitable for Ukraine’s unique rail gauge. Janet Trowse, who worked as a leader in Human Resources for over seven years, has also been recognised with an MBE. In 2017, Janet spearheaded the Menopause Awareness Project at Network Rail, creating a national network of allies and ambassadors, reaching 150,000 employees across the rail industry. For the past five years, Janet has driven awareness and change, dispelling myths and taboos surrounding menopause, making the organisation and the wider rail industry a more menopause-friendly workplace. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development has submitted Network Rail as a case study to the All-Party Political Group for policy reform, and Janet gave evidence at the Women and Equalities Select Committee consultation, supporting calls for free HRT for women in England. Meanwhile, Andrew Haines, our chief executive, has received a Knighthood. Andrew’s career began with a holiday job in the left luggage office at London Victoria station. He has since become a once-in-a-generation transport leader, leading Network Rail since 2018 and addressing challenges head on while maintaining a focus on safety and delivering the best possible services for the public. Andrew said: “I am incredibly honoured to receive this award. It’s not every day a boy from a comprehensive school in Merthyr Tydfil, or indeed anyone from the railway is recognised in this way, so it is immensely humbling. It’s a tribute to the work of the many thousands of people in the rail sector. “That’s why it’s a special pleasure to offer my congratulations to Kathleen, Janet and Peter for achieving recognition for the exceptional work that they have done in support of homelessness outreach, menopause awareness and Ukrainian Railways aid, respectively. We are all proud members of a railway industry that strives to deliver the best for passengers, freight users and the communities that we serve, every day.”

"How many of you are planning to use the train this Christmas? For once we’re not heading up to Scotland to see my parents and I’m relieved. I suspect almost everyone relying on a train in the next two weeks will be anxious it may not run or that they end up crammed in alongside other passengers who have had their service cancelled." Train passengers face anxiety this season. Alex Robertson highlights the need for better disruption communications and realistic timetables. Find out more in our new issue of Transport User voice: https://ow.ly/XiBE50Uwq6J

Travelling by rail this Christmas? The festive season is a key time for rail engineering works, with major projects set to impact journeys at: 🔸 London Paddington (27–29 Dec) – HS2 station construction at Old Oak Common. 🔸 Bedford/Luton (21–29 Dec) – affecting routes to and from London. 🔸 Crewe (25 Dec–2 Jan) – resignalling work. 🔸 Liverpool Street (27 Dec–1 Jan) – station upgrades. 🔸 Plus, other works across the network. We know how important Christmas journeys are, which is why we’ve been working with the rail industry to: - Provide clear travel information. - Ensure alternative routes are communicated. - Plan for timetable resilience and staffing. If you’re travelling by train, make sure to check before you travel and plan ahead. Read more about our work in Transport User Voice: https://ow.ly/Tqpl50Utj6I #CheckBeforeYouTravel #RailTravel #ChristmasTravel #PassengerExperience

Travelling by rail this Christmas? The festive season is a key time for rail engineering works, with major projects set to impact journeys at: 🔸 London Paddington (27–29 Dec) – HS2 station construction at Old Oak Common. 🔸 Bedford/Luton (21–29 Dec) – affecting routes to and from London. 🔸 Crewe (25 Dec–2 Jan) – resignalling work. 🔸 Liverpool Street (27 Dec–1 Jan) – station upgrades. 🔸 Plus, other works across the network. We know how important Christmas journeys are, which is why we’ve been working with the rail industry to: - Provide clear travel information. - Ensure alternative routes are communicated. - Plan for timetable resilience and staffing. If you’re travelling by train, make sure to check before you travel and plan ahead. Read more about our work in Transport User Voice: https://ow.ly/Tqpl50Utj6I #CheckBeforeYouTravel #RailTravel #ChristmasTravel #PassengerExperience

🚛 Our latest survey shows many lorry drivers still struggle with poor facilities, lack of parking and safety concerns. But there are reasons for optimism with 17 sites scoring 95 per cent or above for satisfaction. Transport Focus is bringing together the public and private sector to develop long-term solutions that will improve the quality and availability of rest stops so that we can keep our lorries, and the people who drive them, moving safely. Find out more in Transport User Voice: https://ow.ly/3WBv50UrMk4 #Lorry #LorryDrivers #Roadside #Facilities

🚛 Our latest survey shows many lorry drivers still struggle with poor facilities, lack of parking and safety concerns. But there are reasons for optimism with 17 sites scoring 95 per cent or above for satisfaction. Transport Focus is bringing together the public and private sector to develop long-term solutions that will improve the quality and availability of rest stops so that we can keep our lorries, and the people who drive them, moving safely. Find out more in Transport User Voice: https://ow.ly/3WBv50UrMk4 #Lorry #LorryDrivers #Roadside #Facilities

While some of you on this platform already know my bit of personal news, I thought it time to share more widely that I will be retiring from my role of Director at Transport Focus at the end of 2024. Transport Focus, under Alex Robertson as Chief Executive, alongside fellow Directors Louise Collins and Natasha Grice and a new organisational structure featuring many new faces with heaps of fresh ideas, are fantastically well placed to navigate the challenges and maximise the opportunities that lie ahead. It has been a pleasure over the last year being part of the reshaping of the new Transport Focus. But the time is right now for a change. A few personal milestones have aligned within the last year or two and now feels like the right time to do something different - for myself and my family. One of those personal milestones includes racking up 30 years in consumer representation in the summer. I have never claimed to be an ‘industry expert’ but feel I have learned a lot in that time speaking up for consumers. Initially for 11 years in the energy sector, and the last 19 years promoting the interests of transport users. It has been a real privilege working with so many fantastic people on matters vital to transport users and energy consumers over the years. Building up plenty of strong, professional relationships along the way. Getting that role and balance of ‘critical friend’ right has been important to me. All hopefully providing some influence and positive impacts across sectors of society that make such a difference to many people’s lives. Finally, and personally, I am not sure yet if I embark on full scale retirement or to ‘keep my hand in’ somehow. I am very much open to providing support, ideas and direction on consumer perspectives. Whether that be project specific or at Board level membership. I feel I have done plenty in my career and, in turn, learned an awful lot more. So, it seems the right time to share and impart that experience where it may be of most help and use. Our paths may cross again! Happy to stay in touch via the world of LinkedIn...

Transport Focus is working with ScotRail, who are consulting on changes to ticket office opening times, to ensure that any review helps to deliver a passenger focussed railway where people feel safe and confident. Find out more in Transport User Voice: https://ow.ly/Uolr50Ui4bo #TicketOffice #Scotland #Railway #Trains

Transport Focus is working with ScotRail, who are consulting on changes to ticket office opening times, to ensure that any review helps to deliver a passenger focussed railway where people feel safe and confident. Find out more in Transport User Voice: https://ow.ly/Uolr50Ui4bo #TicketOffice #Scotland #Railway #Trains