UK: Integrated leadership teams are being set up across publicly owned passenger train operators and Network Rail routes to increase collaboration and accountability ahead of the legistation needed to implement rail reform and establish Great British Railways.
Rail Business UK understands that integrated management at South Western Railway is already making a bigger difference than had been expected, even at a relatively early stage in the rail reform process. The environment is seen as more naturally collaborative and enabling open discussion without the contractual complexities which previosuly meant that different people involved in running the railway had slightly different aims.
Jamie Burles has been named Integrated Managing Director (Designate) for the Anglia region. He will identify opportunities for closer integration of operations and infrastructure, and establish a unified executive leadership team bringing together Network Rail Anglia, commuter operator c2c and Greater Anglia across the Eastern region.
Commenting on the October 12 nationalisation of Greater Anglia, Secretary of State for Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said ‘we are reforming a fragmented system and laying the foundations for a more reliable, efficient and accountable railway — one that puts passengers first and delivers the high standards they rightly expect.’
The move away from contractual relationships is expected to help the more challenging task of creating integrated leadership for services such as Thameslink and CrossCountry where operations are less aligned with the geography of the infrastructure.
Rail Business UK understands that individual train operator brands are likely to be remain under Great British Railways, as names like Great Western have strong recognition. However, there will be consistent standards for matters such as ticketing and passenger information, while behind the scenes GBR will provide central services to avoid unnecessary duplication.
