UK 'Oscar' for ScotRail

Friday 18 September 2009 

ScotRail was last night named Passenger Operator of the Year at the “Railway Oscars” – for an unprecedented second year in a row.

It is the first time in the National Rail Awards’ 10-year history that a train operator has retained the title.

The UK awards are described as the industry’s biggest and most respected - and are widely known as the “'Railway Oscars.”

The 17-strong judges’ panel recognised ScotRail’s record high customer satisfaction ratings and punctuality and reliability ratings; passenger growth of more than 20% in the last five years, and the largest expansion of services in the past decade.

The panel, led by John Swift QC, the UK’s first Rail Regulator, also acknowledged that delays caused by ScotRail have fallen by 50% compared to a franchise commitment of 2% a year.

Steve Montgomery, ScotRail’s managing director, said after the awards ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane, London: “It is a tribute to all in the ScotRail team in improving performance and delivering customer growth.”

He added: “I am delighted with the award for the second year in a row. It is testament to the hard work and commitment of all our staff to deliver the best rail service we possibly can for Scotland.

“Our investment in staff, stations and trains will continue. As will our partnership with Transport Scotland, Network Rail and others to deliver further improvements and allow even more people to switch to public transport.”

Media inquiries
Iain Wilson, First ScotRail - Tel 0141 335 4565 or email iain.wilson@firstgroup.com

Notes to Editor
ScotRail is the UK’s largest regional train operator and runs more than 2,100 services every day.

John Swift QC served as the UK’s first Rail Regulator from 1993 to 1998.