Latest news with #ChrisJackson
Leader Live
2 days ago
- Business
- Leader Live
Minister hails ‘remarkable turnaround' of renationalised train operator
Lord Hendy described TransPennine Express (TPE) as 'the blueprint for Great British Railways (GBR)'. The Labour Government began renationalising all remaining franchised train operators in Britain on Sunday, by bringing South Western Railway under public control. The process is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2027. TPE, which runs trains across northern England and into Scotland, was renationalised under the Conservative government in May 2023 because of poor performance. Its reliability was badly affected by drivers no longer volunteering to work paid overtime shifts. Britain's train services were privatised in the mid-1990s. Services now under public control are owned by DFTO (Department for Transport Operator) until GBR is established. DFTO said TPE has reduced cancellations by 75% and recorded a 42% growth in passenger journeys over the past two years. It added that the operator generated £1.4 billion in 'economic value' during the 2023/24 financial year. TPE launched an improvement plan in October 2023 which prioritised stabilising operations. Lord Hendy said: 'TransPennine Express's remarkable turnaround shows exactly why we're bringing our railways back into public ownership as part of our plan for change. 'These impressive results demonstrate what happens when we put passengers and communities first rather than private profit. 'This is the blueprint for Great British Railways: a reliable, accessible and value for money railway that serves the public and drives economic growth not only across the North but the whole country.' TPE managing director Chris Jackson said: 'Public ownership gave us the space and stability to reset. 'Our focus has been on people, our passengers, our colleagues and the communities we serve. 'Two years on, we're proud to be delivering a better, more reliable railway for the North.'
North Wales Chronicle
2 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Minister hails ‘remarkable turnaround' of renationalised train operator
Lord Hendy described TransPennine Express (TPE) as 'the blueprint for Great British Railways (GBR)'. The Labour Government began renationalising all remaining franchised train operators in Britain on Sunday, by bringing South Western Railway under public control. The process is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2027. TPE, which runs trains across northern England and into Scotland, was renationalised under the Conservative government in May 2023 because of poor performance. Its reliability was badly affected by drivers no longer volunteering to work paid overtime shifts. Britain's train services were privatised in the mid-1990s. Services now under public control are owned by DFTO (Department for Transport Operator) until GBR is established. DFTO said TPE has reduced cancellations by 75% and recorded a 42% growth in passenger journeys over the past two years. It added that the operator generated £1.4 billion in 'economic value' during the 2023/24 financial year. TPE launched an improvement plan in October 2023 which prioritised stabilising operations. Lord Hendy said: 'TransPennine Express's remarkable turnaround shows exactly why we're bringing our railways back into public ownership as part of our plan for change. 'These impressive results demonstrate what happens when we put passengers and communities first rather than private profit. 'This is the blueprint for Great British Railways: a reliable, accessible and value for money railway that serves the public and drives economic growth not only across the North but the whole country.' TPE managing director Chris Jackson said: 'Public ownership gave us the space and stability to reset. 'Our focus has been on people, our passengers, our colleagues and the communities we serve. 'Two years on, we're proud to be delivering a better, more reliable railway for the North.'
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
Minister hails ‘remarkable turnaround' of renationalised train operator
Lord Hendy described TransPennine Express (TPE) as 'the blueprint for Great British Railways (GBR)'. The Labour Government began renationalising all remaining franchised train operators in Britain on Sunday, by bringing South Western Railway under public control. The process is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2027. TPE, which runs trains across northern England and into Scotland, was renationalised under the Conservative government in May 2023 because of poor performance. Its reliability was badly affected by drivers no longer volunteering to work paid overtime shifts. Britain's train services were privatised in the mid-1990s. Services now under public control are owned by DFTO (Department for Transport Operator) until GBR is established. DFTO said TPE has reduced cancellations by 75% and recorded a 42% growth in passenger journeys over the past two years. It added that the operator generated £1.4 billion in 'economic value' during the 2023/24 financial year. TPE launched an improvement plan in October 2023 which prioritised stabilising operations. Lord Hendy said: 'TransPennine Express's remarkable turnaround shows exactly why we're bringing our railways back into public ownership as part of our plan for change. 'These impressive results demonstrate what happens when we put passengers and communities first rather than private profit. 'This is the blueprint for Great British Railways: a reliable, accessible and value for money railway that serves the public and drives economic growth not only across the North but the whole country.' TPE managing director Chris Jackson said: 'Public ownership gave us the space and stability to reset. 'Our focus has been on people, our passengers, our colleagues and the communities we serve. 'Two years on, we're proud to be delivering a better, more reliable railway for the North.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Minister hails ‘remarkable turnaround' of renationalised train operator
A train operator renationalised two years ago has performed a 'remarkable turnaround', the rail minister said. Lord Hendy described TransPennine Express (TPE) as 'the blueprint for Great British Railways (GBR)'. The Labour Government began renationalising all remaining franchised train operators in Britain on Sunday, by bringing South Western Railway under public control. The process is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2027. TPE, which runs trains across northern England and into Scotland, was renationalised under the Conservative government in May 2023 because of poor performance. Its reliability was badly affected by drivers no longer volunteering to work paid overtime shifts. Britain's train services were privatised in the mid-1990s. Services now under public control are owned by DFTO (Department for Transport Operator) until GBR is established. DFTO said TPE has reduced cancellations by 75% and recorded a 42% growth in passenger journeys over the past two years. It added that the operator generated £1.4 billion in 'economic value' during the 2023/24 financial year. TPE launched an improvement plan in October 2023 which prioritised stabilising operations. Lord Hendy said: 'TransPennine Express's remarkable turnaround shows exactly why we're bringing our railways back into public ownership as part of our plan for change. 'These impressive results demonstrate what happens when we put passengers and communities first rather than private profit. 'This is the blueprint for Great British Railways: a reliable, accessible and value for money railway that serves the public and drives economic growth not only across the North but the whole country.' TPE managing director Chris Jackson said: 'Public ownership gave us the space and stability to reset. 'Our focus has been on people, our passengers, our colleagues and the communities we serve. 'Two years on, we're proud to be delivering a better, more reliable railway for the North.'
South Wales Argus
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
William shows off football skills in partnership with Street Soccer Scotland
William joined a practice session run by Street Soccer Scotland, being backed by his Royal Foundation, which will fund a range of initiatives at the charity's branch in Leith, near Edinburgh. The financial support from the foundation's Community Impact Project will also help the charity create Leith United – a collaboration with Leith Community Centre and YMCA Edinburgh. William in action (Chris Jackson/PA) The prince met YMCA user Shaniah Gilgun, aged 10, and learnt about her efforts with other youngsters to improve housing conditions in the area, but the conversation turned to football when he spotted a poster of Aston Villa. Villa fan William mentioned the club's captain, who also leads the Scottish national side, telling Shaniah: 'Maybe I should bring John McGinn… might have to wait till he retires – we'll put it in the pipeline.' He added: 'He promised me he would come up and show me around.' After asking a group of children about their football teams during his visit to the community centre, he said of son Prince Louis: 'My youngest supports five different teams now.' William was impressed by the work of amateur artists at Leith Community Centre (Chris Jackson/PA) Shaniah later mentioned William's praise for her housing campaign: 'He said it was a really good thing and that we should keep doing it and only good will come out of it. 'When he mentioned John McGinn, I said, 'That's a deal'.' Street Soccer Scotland was founded by David Duke in Leith in 2009 before he opened centres across Scotland to deliver free football-themed training and personal development programmes to support people experiencing issues like poor mental health, addiction, homelessness and isolation. The charity will use the Royal Foundation grant to renovate Leith Community Centre, enhance sports-based initiatives at the site, enable outreach work in the community and fund an impact manager over three years to co-ordinate grassroots leaders and local partnerships. William watches a kung fu demonstration during his visit to the Leith Community Centre (Chris Jackson/PA) During the visit William saw a range of groups who use the centre, from flamenco and kung fu classes to a group of amateur paintings who impressed the prince. Mr Duke, who is an official supporter of William's Homewards homeless initiative, said after the visit: 'So obviously to have the support of the Royal Foundation is fantastic. 'Their vision is to try and create community impact and they're looking at places and spaces where they can create that.' He added: 'It's about the long-term support from the wider Royal Foundation team, they can help us create almost a blueprint for change and they've already started working with us on a kind of theory of change, in terms of how we can use this space and the partnerships to make a difference.'
