Post by Chris M on Aug 3, 2006 22:48:33 GMT
Birmingham, United Kingdom 2006-08-02
Virgin Cross-Country have today unveiled their latest strategy to improve the punctuality and reliability of its Class 220 and 221 "Voyager" trains.
Speaking to reporters at the news conference Virgin Cross-Country's Managing Director Chris Gibb explained that having tried more conventional methods of transporting passengers around its extensive network without success since the introduction of its much hailed new trains, the time had come for its staff to think outside the box and come up with a dynamic new solution to the challenge of running at 21st Century railway.
Praising highly the innovation of staff at all levels in the organisation, Mr Gibb did say that when he first heard of the idea he was "blown away" by the simplicity of it, "particularly when I realised we could get into the government's good books and get some of their cash, by helping communities in the West Midlands devastated by the closure of the car plants as well as improving our own punctuality figures.
"The former workers at plants like Longbridge have the perfect range of skills to fulfil the new roles this renaissance of rail travel has introduced".
The "synergistic new approach" will not only see a doubling in the average speed of trains on the cross-country network, but major improvements in the reliability figures are also expected.
Asked how these performance enhancing measures would be funded, My Gibb explained that the combination of grants from the government for helping people from deprived areas gain access to useful employment, the reduced number and value of fines imposed for poor performance and money previously spent on repairs would become available to pay for the new staff members.
No firm timetable for the introduction of the new services was given, but off the record discussions have suggested the roll-out will begin in around 2-3 months.
An artist's impression of the new look Virgin Cross-Country trains
Virgin Cross-Country have today unveiled their latest strategy to improve the punctuality and reliability of its Class 220 and 221 "Voyager" trains.
Speaking to reporters at the news conference Virgin Cross-Country's Managing Director Chris Gibb explained that having tried more conventional methods of transporting passengers around its extensive network without success since the introduction of its much hailed new trains, the time had come for its staff to think outside the box and come up with a dynamic new solution to the challenge of running at 21st Century railway.
Praising highly the innovation of staff at all levels in the organisation, Mr Gibb did say that when he first heard of the idea he was "blown away" by the simplicity of it, "particularly when I realised we could get into the government's good books and get some of their cash, by helping communities in the West Midlands devastated by the closure of the car plants as well as improving our own punctuality figures.
"The former workers at plants like Longbridge have the perfect range of skills to fulfil the new roles this renaissance of rail travel has introduced".
The "synergistic new approach" will not only see a doubling in the average speed of trains on the cross-country network, but major improvements in the reliability figures are also expected.
Asked how these performance enhancing measures would be funded, My Gibb explained that the combination of grants from the government for helping people from deprived areas gain access to useful employment, the reduced number and value of fines imposed for poor performance and money previously spent on repairs would become available to pay for the new staff members.
No firm timetable for the introduction of the new services was given, but off the record discussions have suggested the roll-out will begin in around 2-3 months.
An artist's impression of the new look Virgin Cross-Country trains
