Treble win for Southern at National Rail Awards

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Train Operator Southern won three prizes at the prestigious National Rail Awards last week.

Southern’s wins were in the Environmental Excellence Award, Medium Station, and Outstanding Personal Contribution (jointly with British Transport Police) categories.

Southern was also Highly Commended for four of its entries.

Southern’s Managing Director, Chris Burchell said:

“I am very pleased that we have been recognised so comprehensively by our industry colleagues for our achievements this year. Our people are the key to our success and they fully deserve these awards. ”

In the Environmental Excellence Award category, Southern showed that it has ‘always aimed to lead the way in the rail industry’ in reducing waste and emissions, with 2010/11 being the most successful year to date.

Initiatives included a reduction in gas consumption by more than a third (compared to its own target of 8%) and a reduction in electricity consumption by more than 12%, making it already halfway towards its 25% target over the lifetime of its current franchise.

The Judges said of the entry: “A company-wide policy, that has been bought into enthusiastically at all levels. Southern has demonstrated that environmental concern is entirely consistent with business sense.”

In the Medium Station category, Brighton station beat off stiff competition to win. After 160 years, the station manages to keep its architectural heritage intact while being sensitively adapted to meet the needs of today’s passengers.

The judges acknowledged that Brighton meets the needs of a wide range of passengers efficiently by making the best use of the existing premises.

Also noted was the visibility and helpfulness of station staff. This is the second year running that Southern has won the Medium Station of the Year category.

In the Outstanding Personal Contribution category, British Transport Police Constable, Steve Jarvis who works with Southern as a member of its Safer Travel Teams.

A co-ordinator with the team and based in Brighton, Steve doesn’t just look out of the travelling public, he also goes beyond the call of duty to protect Southern’s employees. Steve has been described by colleagues and bosses as an outstanding and professional officer.

His Superintendent, Andy Ball said: “His productivity in terms of crime fighting activity is truly prodigious.”

Southern’s Head of Security, Martin Grier praised Steve by saying that he is a real credit to the BTP, Southern and to those passengers who will never know him, but who will travel more safely because of him.

The Judges said that Steve was inspirational, and his enthusiasm and commitment are unbelievable and that his core belief that it is not enough to go through the motions, epitomises everything this award represents.

Mr Burchell added: “To win three awards and be highly commended in four others is a fantastic achievement and testament to all that we at Southern have worked hard on in the last year. It’s our passengers who are benefitting the most from all of these achievements and that’s as it should be.”

Southern’s Highly Commended awards were in the Outstanding Personal Contribution, Safety, Putting Passengers First and Project of the Year categories.

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