Southern’s “Jewel” wins at National Rail Awards

Southern has clinched a major first prize and a hatful of accolades at the prestigious National Rail Awards held last night. Southern’s win was for Lewes station in the Medium station of the year category.

In the Medium Station of the Year category, Lewes station blew away the competition in this fiercely contested category.
The judges described Lewes station as a “jewel”, saying that it has become a jewel of the medium stations and that it had been ingeniously upgraded to retain its heritage whilst making it easier to use. When describing the station, they said: “Copious information is available throughout the station supported by helpful staff and a friendly ticket office. Good retail facilities and lifts make interchange easier and the station is completed with extensive gardens and flowers.”

GTR’s CEO, Charles Horton said: “I’m incredibly proud that Lewes station and its staff have been recognised with this great win. Our passengers are at the heart of everything we do and Lewes station certainly embodies everything we are working towards.”

In the Large Station of the year category, Eastbourne station was highly commended. The Judges were impressed at how the station now merges seamlessly with the surrounding town. They said: “It is a bright, clean station with an outstanding travel centre and plenty of retail both in and around the station.”

In the Outstanding Teamwork Award, Southern’s team of Area Champions for theEnvironment (ACE’s) was Highly Commended for its work to embed sustainability into the organisation. The ACE team comprises 43 Southern employees from Revenue Protection Officers, to Engineers to Managers who have a real interest in the environment and who work hard to improve Southern’s environmental performance and influence organisational culture. Now that Southern is part of the Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) franchise, GTR has committed to increase the number of ACEs to 100.

Revenue Protection Officer, Kevin Bayley and Mitcham Eastfield station’s Glynes Highland were both finalists in the Outstanding Personal Contribution (Workforce) category.

Glynes is based at Mitcham Eastfields Station in South London. In November 2014, Glynes was named Southern’s Customer Service Champion when more than 25 passengers took the time to write a nomination for her during National Customer Service Week. All those who nominated her remarked on her cheerful and helpful nature and willingness to go the extra mile to exceed their expectations in the service she delivers. This was the third time in the last four years that Glynes had been nominated by passengers, so giving excellent customer service is clearly something that she’s passionate about.

Kevin is no ordinary employee. His enthusiasm is infectious, his skills are admirable, and his willingness to get stuck-in to whatever comes his ways makes him a true role model in the rail industry. His job title may be Revenue Protection Officer but this doesn’t do justice to his extensive, and voluntary, responsibilities which include being a member of Southern’s Stakeholder Advisory Board, being an Environment Champion and being an Engagement Champion. His commitment and motivation know no bounds!

Kevin is committed to excellent customer service – whether that’s to a passenger or a colleague. Everything he gets involved with he does with zeal and professionalism.

Mr Horton added: “Not everyone can win, but it’s great that the work done behind the scenes by individuals and teams has been recognised with commendations and finalist spots. This recognition is another reminder of the great business we are building and the great people we have to support it, providing the very best service for our passengers.”