LOROL secures London Overground contract extension
Arriva’s LOROL rail business has secured a two-year extension to its contract with Transport for London (TfL) to operate the London Overground network until 12 November 2016.
The past year has seen further dramatic improvements for the London Overground with LOROL setting new standards in rail travel. Following this hugely successful year, and with sustained levels of train punctuality and passenger satisfaction, TfL has taken up the option of extending its existing contract which means LOROL will continue to be responsible for the operation of London Overground train services and maintenance.
Since its launch in 2007, more than 340 million passenger journeys have been made on the London Overground and around 400,000 passengers are now carried each day2, up from 90,000. Punctuality reached an all-time high in September 2012 (98.96 per cent)3 and today the company is recognised as running the UK’s most punctual right-time rail service holding a record 89.10 per cent4. Passenger satisfaction is also among the best in the industry at 93 per cent5, up from 57 per cent when taking over the concession.
Managing director at LOROL, Peter Austin, said: “I am delighted that we have reached agreement with Transport for London for a two-year extension to our contract. Everyone at LOROL has worked tirelessly over the past five years to transform the railway and to deliver TfL’s vision for the Overground. The two-year extension is recognition of those efforts and LOROL’s excellent operational delivery. We look forward to a further successful four years.”
Steve Murphy, chief operating officer for Arriva Trains, said: “Since starting the contract our people have worked with Transport for London and other industry partners to take London Overground services to a new level. Everything from stations, trains and performance has been improved. The two-year extension is welcome recognition of our operational expertise, track record of delivering our commitments and the passion in our business to continue to bring further improvements for our customers in the future.”
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TfL chief operating officer for rail, Howard Smith, said: “We are pleased to continue our successful relationship with LOROL. The Overground has gone from strength to strength since the start of the concession and demonstrates what TfL can achieve, in partnership, when given responsibility for rail services in London.”