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Sir George Young, Transport Secretary, today listed some of the benefits the rail privatisation process is already bringing for passengers.
Welcoming the changes that the restructured rail industry is bringing to the railway network, he said:
"Under the new structure, passengers enjoy benefits they did not have before. For the first time they have a guaranteed level of service through passenger service requirements and regulation of key rail fares. Through ticketing and other network benfits are also being protected. I welcome the improvements in service to passengers which train operating companies have introduced as they gear themselves up for privatisation."
The area, he said, in which changes could most clearly be seen include:
Additional new train services:
- South West Trains increased their services by 100 trains a day between May 1994 and May 1995.
The opening of new stations and renovation of existing stations:
- such as the re-opening of the Robin Hood Line between Mansfield and Nottingham after 31 years;
- the new station at Manchester Airport which has won several awards for both customer service and architecture;
Customer care and information:
- with almost all train operating companies introducing new training for their staff in customer care and providing extra staff at stations, such as Gatwick Express porters at Gatwick and Victoria stations.
- Chiltern Railways awarded the Charter Mark in 1995 for excellence in public service - passenger numbers increased by 30% between 1994 and 1995.
Security on trains and at stations, ticket packages and disabled access:
- West Anglia Great Northern have launched a brochure and a telephone helpline for disabled passengers and installed induction loops for the hard of hearing at their booking windows;
- Thames Trains have started joint ticketing with bus services to key tourist locations and Gatwick Express with US airlines and tour operators.
Railnews Archive ::: 1995-12-06 DoT-001
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