Serco Docklands Ltd, operator of London’s Docklands Light Railway (DLR) was awarded one of the highest accolades in the UK rail industry last night when it received the Best London Suburban Operator title at the National Rail Awards.
This is the fifth consecutive major award presented by the National Rail Awards to Serco Docklands: Best Light Rail / Metro in 2000, Best Operator 2001 and 2002 and Best London Suburban Operator 2003 and 2004.
At the awards ceremony last night in London’s prestigious Grosvenor House Hotel, Nigel Harris, Managing Editor of Rail Magazine, called the company’s performance ‘near perfect’ as he announced Serco Docklands the winner. The judges, all specialists within the rail industry, explained that Serco won against high quality competitors as it ‘rose above the rest in terms of all-round achievement’. They were particularly impressed with Serco’s continued improvements, growth and innovative campaigns and recognised the fresh thinking brought to the company by Managing Director Neil McLean, who joined in 2003.
The prestigious award reinforces the success of Serco Docklands as DLR’s operator, following last week’s Department of Transport announcement that the DLR has had the highest levels of growth across the light rail systems in the UK. While light rail passenger journeys across all light rail systems increased by 4.9% (to 142.9 million), journeys made on DLR, operated by Serco Docklands, increased by 6% (to 48.5 million), making it the most dynamic of all the UK’s light rail systems. The majority of improvement last year, 83% of growth, was achieved in off-peak travel, reflecting the proactive strategy Serco Docklands have implemented to increase growth outside regular commuting periods.
Commenting on the awards Neil McLean, Managing Director at Serco Docklands said, “We are delighted to be recognised as the Best London Suburban Operator at the National Rail Awards. It’s the fifth major award for Serco Docklands and reflects our consistent year on year improvement and the commitment of all our staff to run this technically complex railway.
“Over the past year we have invested heavily in further improving our performance, particularly our reliability, punctuality and safety levels. These efforts have resulted in two consecutive periods of record reliability levels this year (97.58% in June and 97.83% in July) and an all time high of customer satisfaction – so this award is yet another reason for us to be celebrating.”
Howard Smith, Director, Docklands Light Railway Ltd, said “The partnership between DLR and our franchise operator is extremely successful and we are delighted that Serco’s dedication to continually improving service and reliability has been recognised by the industry in this way.”
Contact Details
Sarah Allen
020 7363 9696
sarah.allen@dlr.co.uk
