Latest news with #WCR
Scotsman
29-05-2025
- Scotsman
'Hogwarts Express' Jacobite train operator accused of poor customer service in 'shoddy carriages'
West Coast Railways criticised for reducing stewards as 'recipe for disaster' Sign up for the latest news and analysis about Scottish transport Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The operator of the Hogwarts Express-style Jacobite steam train has been accused of providing a poor service to passengers in 'shoddy' carriages. The claim from an industry source with knowledge of the operation comes weeks after The Scotsman revealed the classic maroon carriages associated with the Harry Potter films had been substituted with more modern former British Rail blue Inter-City coaches. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Jacobite train near Fort William on Sunday May 25 after the wildfire risk had receded | Kieran Macdonald Concern has been expressed that operator West Coast Railways (WCR) has reduced the number of stewards on the twice-daily Fort William to Mallaig services, whose job includes preventing passengers leaning out of windows to take photos. But WCR said the Jacobite was run in a 'safe, professional manner' and the safety and comfort of passengers was its priority. It has also been able to use a steam locomotive to haul services for the first time in weeks after the wildfire threat receded. Passengers had complained at being unaware the Jacobite had been run with a diesel engine. The industry source said the company was "charging an extortionate amount and providing no customer service, shoddy carriages, terrible refreshments". Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Jacobite train being hauled by a diesel locomotive on Saturday May 24 | Kieran Macdonald Passengers have also complained on the Tripadvisor reviews website of high temperatures and the lack of air conditioning on the substitute carriages, which WCR said were temporary replacements pending wheel repairs. The source said: "WCR originally had five stewards on each [five-carriage] service to keep passenger safety a priority as passengers aren't allowed to lean out or take photos by opening the windows, which has happened many times. 'Now, they have two stewards at each end of the train, in charge of two carriages [each] with the train manager acting as a third steward in the middle. In the afternoon, they have three stewards. 'A catering trolley plus a 'Harry Potter' trolley service operates, so stewards monitoring passengers is very restricted, which is a recipe for disaster.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A Jacobite service with Inter-City carriages hauled by a diesel locomotive during the wildfire risk steam engine ban on May 14 | Contributed WCR commercial manager James Shuttleworth said: 'The safety and comfort of Jacobite passengers is the priority of our leadership, management and employees. 'The services are conducted in a safe, professional manner that allows our customers to make treasured memories, and enjoy the best of the Scottish Highlands. 'The quality of our service and the esteem it is held in are a credit to our employees whose professionalism and enthusiasm are highly valued. Prior to working on the Jacobite service, all staff receive training and are briefed to ensure customers are monitored and kept safe whilst providing an excellent service. 'There is also a continued review and briefing process carried out by train managers to ensure the safety of our services is maintained throughout the season. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We were saddened to see the comments made about our services. However, WCR is proud of our Jacobite service and the integral part we play in the tourism and hospitality sector.' The Jacobite with its traditional maroon carriages on the Glenfinnan viaduct | Contributed The substitute carriages were drafted in as part of an ongoing dispute with rail safety regulators who insist they must have centrally-locking doors. Mr Shuttleworth said it was seeking to resolve the dispute with the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EXEL Industries: 2024–2025 half-year results
First half 2024–2025 results Priority given to reducing debt and optimizing WCR in the first half, positive net income driven by lower costs in response to lower volumes in Agricultural Spraying In the first half of 2024–2025, EXEL Industries's revenue fell 10.0% to €443.4 million. The Group posted half-year recurring EBITDA of €20.3 million, representing 4.6% of revenue. Net income was positive at €1.5 million. The Group's level of net financial debt improved by €38 million compared with last year, as a result of efforts to reduce WCR and, in particular, inventories. EXEL Industries continues to focus on debt reduction and cash flow generation. H1 results(from October 1, 2024to March 31, 2025) 2023-2024(€m) 2024-2025(€m) REVENUE 492.7 443.4 RECURRING EBITDA* 30.5 20.3 % of revenue 6.2% 4.6% CURRENT OPERATING INCOME (EBIT) 16.0 6.5 % of revenue 3.3% 1.5% Non‐recurring items -1.5 -0.1 Net financial income/(expense) -6.4 -4.7 Tax and share of profit of associates -3.4 -0.2 NET INCOME 4.7 1.5 % of revenue 0.9% 0.3% NET FINANCIAL DEBT -212.7 -174.5 NET FINANCIAL DEBT(EXCLUDING IFRS 16) -183.5 -145.7 *Recurring EBITDA = current operating income (EBIT) + depreciation and amortization of non-current assets + change in provisions (excluding provisions on current assets) + share of profit of equity-method associates Find the EXEL Industries Group's half-year results onhttps:// Half-year revenue 6-month sales(October 2024–March 2025) 2023-2024 2024-2025 Change (reported) Change (LFL*) Reported Reported €m % €m % AGRICULTURAL SPRAYING 248.3 194.9 -53.4 -21.5% -53.7 -21.6% SUGAR BEET HARVESTING 44.2 44.4 +0.2 +0.4% +1.1 +2.6% LEISURE 58.5 60.2 +1.8 +3.0% -0.5 -0.8% INDUSTRY 141.7 143.9 +2.2 +1.5% +1.8 +1.3% EXEL Industries Group 492.7 443.4 -49.4 -10.0% -51.3 -10.4% *LFL = like-for-like (at constant consolidation scope and foreign exchange rates) In the first half of 2024–2025, the Group generated revenue of €443.4 million, down 10.0%. On a like-for-like basis, revenue was down 10.4%, mainly due to lower volumes in Agricultural Spraying, with other activities either stable or growing. Half-year financial results Recurring EBITDA amounted to €20.3 million – or 4.6% of Group revenue, compared with 6.2% in 2023–2024. In response to the overall reduction in revenue due to lower volumes in Agricultural Spraying, the Group placed an emphasis on cutting costs and optimizing margins. At March 31, 2025, net income amounted to €1.5 million, compared with €4.7 million in 2023–2024, impacted by the decline in recurring EBITDA. Net financial income was negative at -€4.7 million, but improved by €1.7 million compared with the first half of last year, thanks to lower average gross indebtedness, combined with lower interest rates, and less unfavorable foreign exchange losses than at March 31, 2024. Balance sheet At March 31, 2025, net financial debt stood at €174.5 million, compared with €212.7 million in the first half of 2024, a marked improvement of €38 million, as a result of efforts to optimize WCR, mainly driven by a significant reduction in inventory levels compared with the first half of the previous year. However, the change in WCR remained negative over the first half of 2024–2025 at €30 million, in line with the seasonal nature of the Group's business (compared with €77.7 million in the first half of 2023–2024). The Group upholds its investment policy, with Capex amounting to €15.6 million, notably including ongoing construction work on the new Sames plant in Stains, France. At the same time, EXEL Industries continued to renew its credit lines for its operating requirements. Audit process The Group Audit Committee met on May 20, 2025. The Board of Directors met on May 21, 2025 and approved EXEL Industries's half-year financial statements at March 31, 2025. The Group's Statutory Auditors have finished certifying the first half financial statements and will shortly issue a report without reservations. 2025 outlook In Agricultural Spraying, order intake continues to offer limited visibility, but is beginning to show signs of recovery, mainly in Europe and in the large-scale crops markets. The outlook for European viticulture markets remains uncertain over the coming months. In Sugar Beet Harvesting, market conditions are uncertain, with an overall market downturn in Europe due to a decline in cultivated areas, and a wait-and-see attitude in North America (weaker dollar, higher interest rates and lower sugar prices). In the Garden segment, business is well oriented for the rest of the year, with order intake levels that remain satisfactory. In Industrial Spraying, sales prospects remain dynamic in Europe and North America, but are expected to slow down in Asia. Due to the economic uncertainty related to the US tariff policy, EXEL Industries is assessing its effects on costs and supply chains in order to take appropriate measures in its agricultural and Industrial Spraying activities. In activities suffering from lower volumes, the Group will continue to align its production capacities and cost structure with the level of business. The Group intends to pursue its efforts to generate cash flow, notably by optimizing its WCR through the reduction of inventories across all its activities. Daniel Tragus, Chief Executive Officer of the EXEL Industries Group 'The Group posted positive first-half results in an uncertain macroeconomic environment. Our efforts to reduce costs have started to bear fruit and have helped mitigate the impact of declining volumes in Agricultural Spraying on our margins. Across all our activities, we also worked to optimize WCR by successfully reducing inventory levels. We are confident for the rest of the fiscal year, with priorities remaining on debt reduction and cash flow generation, while continuing our long-term investment policy.' Upcoming events May 23, 2025: presentation of half-yearly results to investors July 23, 2025, before market opening: Q3 2024-2025 revenue October 24, 2025, before market opening: 2024-2025 full-year revenue Attachment EXEL Industries_Press release_Half-year results_2024-2025_ENError in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Mayor
11-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
West Central Railway introduces optical fibre-enabled signal control technology at Nishatpura yard
Bhopal: In a significant move towards modernity and safety, West Central Railway's Bhopal division has introduced a state-of-the-art signal control technology based entirely on optical fibre operation at its Nishatpura yard, replacing the traditional wiring system, officials said on Sunday. 'This first-of-its-kind cutting-edge technology will play a key role in making Indian Railways safer and more technologically advanced in the coming years,' WCR's Bhopal division's PRO Naval Agrawal told PTI. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Saurabh Kataria said that this advanced technology has recently been commissioned on two signal posts at Nishatpura yard. A phased roll-out has already begun on the Bhopal-Bina railway section. As per current plans, the entire section is expected to be upgraded with this new system by June 2026. Agrawal said that until now, signal control systems used conventional multi-wire mechanisms, which were prone to delays and occasional malfunctions. The newly introduced system uses optical fibre cables, ensuring faster, more secure, and highly reliable signal transmission compared to traditional methods, he added. The core of this upgrade is the 'Lamp Output Module' (LOM)- a device that sends signal commands directly from the control room to the signal posts through optical fibre, he said. With this new method, signals along the railway track are controlled directly through fibre lines instead of conventional wiring, the PRO added. 'No bulky wiring is required as all communication will happen through fibre optics, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted signal operations,' he said, adding that signals cannot go blank under the modern system. Even if one component fails, the signal remains visible to trains. Additionally, trains will run more safely and punctually, Agrawal said. The system includes an automatic cooling fan that activates when needed to prevent over-heating of equipment, he added. In the event of the failure of a fibre line, a backup line takes over instantly, ensuring uninterrupted service, the railway officer explained. This system makes maintenance easier and is cost-effective due to minimal hardware and streamlined setup. READ SOURCE
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
West Central Railway introduces optical fibre-enabled signal control technology at Nishatpura yard
Bhopal: In a significant move towards modernity and safety, West Central Railway 's Bhopal division has introduced a state-of-the-art signal control technology based entirely on optical fibre operation at its Nishatpura yard , replacing the traditional wiring system, officials said on Sunday. "This first-of-its-kind cutting-edge technology will play a key role in making Indian Railways safer and more technologically advanced in the coming years," WCR's Bhopal division's PRO Naval Agrawal told PTI. #Operation Sindoor India responds to Pak's ceasefire violation; All that happened India-Pakistan ceasefire reactions: Who said what Punjab's hopes for normalcy dimmed by fresh violations Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Saurabh Kataria said that this advanced technology has recently been commissioned on two signal posts at Nishatpura yard. A phased roll-out has already begun on the Bhopal-Bina railway section. As per current plans, the entire section is expected to be upgraded with this new system by June 2026. Agrawal said that until now, signal control systems used conventional multi-wire mechanisms, which were prone to delays and occasional malfunctions. The newly introduced system uses optical fibre cables, ensuring faster, more secure, and highly reliable signal transmission compared to traditional methods, he added. Live Events The core of this upgrade is the " Lamp Output Module " (LOM)- a device that sends signal commands directly from the control room to the signal posts through optical fibre, he said. With this new method, signals along the railway track are controlled directly through fibre lines instead of conventional wiring, the PRO added. "No bulky wiring is required as all communication will happen through fibre optics, ensuring smooth and uninterrupted signal operations," he said, adding that signals cannot go blank under the modern system. Even if one component fails, the signal remains visible to trains. Additionally, trains will run more safely and punctually, Agrawal said. The system includes an automatic cooling fan that activates when needed to prevent over-heating of equipment, he added. In the event of the failure of a fibre line, a backup line takes over instantly, ensuring uninterrupted service, the railway officer explained. This system makes maintenance easier and is cost-effective due to minimal hardware and streamlined setup.
