Tuesday, June 19, 2007
MTRLaing, the 50/50 joint venture of John Laing and MTR, is delighted to have been selected by Transport for London (TfL) to run trains in the capital.
MTRLaing combines two of the most reliable and customer focused railways in the world. The company brings together MTR’s experience of running the world class Metro in Hong Kong with Laing Rail’s expertise - best known for its award winning Chiltern Railways franchise which runs out of London Marylebone.
MTRLaing will operate London Overground from 11 November 2007. The railway will benefit from multi-million pound investment from the Mayor and TfL, and MTRLaing will work with TfL to deliver real benefits for passengers. The company is committed to achieving a step change in passengers’ experience, including punctuality, security, quality of trains and stations, and customer service.
Adrian Shooter, Chairman of Laing Rail, said: ‘We are looking forward to working with Transport for London to revitalise this important railway in London. We are delighted to have been chosen to operate London Overground. We are committed to delivering a rail service, on behalf of TfL, that Londoners can be proud of, and that will accelerate the continuing improvement of transport in London.’
Jeremy Long, Europe Chief Executive of MTR Corporation, said: ‘We are delighted to be working together with our partner Laing Rail. We look forward to being able to bring MTR’s experience to assist in the planned upgrade and service improvements. Our focus now is to get on with the job and prepare thoroughly to take over the running of services smoothly in November.
The company will be retaining existing staff and expanding the current workforce, creating additional roles for station staff, drivers and project managers.
ENDS
For further information, please call the MTRLaing press office on 020 7025 7591 or email mtrlaingpressoffice@trimediahc.com
Notes to Editors
1. John Laing is one of the UK's leading investors, developers and operators of privately financed, public sector infrastructure projects in sectors such as rail, roads, health and education. It operates the award-winning Chiltern Railways franchise and has delivered a number of successful infrastructure projects to the rail industry, including the new Wembley Depot and the Evergreen 2 project, which brought new platforms at London Marylebone Station and extensive re-signalling along the Chiltern line to help improve performance. Its core business is focused entirely upon the development of PFI/PPP projects and operations. The Group currently invests in a total of 54 projects.
2. MTR Corporation of Hong Kong operates a world class, high volume commuter railway which achieves punctuality of over 99% using a modern EMU fleet technically similar and of similar age profile to those in the UK. It runs over 3,000 services a day, carrying 2.4 million passengers. It has an award-winning integrated and systematic approach to safety, quality and project management – attributes it is intent on bringing to the UK rail industry.
3. London Overground is TfL’s vision for a new London Railway bringing the world famous London Underground standards of customer service and security to the North London Railway comprising: the North London line, the London Euston to Watford Junction local line, the West London line from Willesden Junction to Clapham Junction via Kensington Olympia and the Gospel Oak to Barking line. These routes are currently operated by Silverlink Metro. From 2010, London Overground will be further enhanced by the newly refurbished and extended East London line, which once open will be known as the East London Railway.