A passenger train operator has been named as the overall winner of the North of England Excellence Awards 2011.
Merseyrail, which provides rail services within Liverpool and its conurbations, was named Business of the Year and also won a North of England Excellence Award.
It was one of two rail companies amongst the winners, the other being York-based East Coast.
Merseyrail has one of the most intensively used networks in the UK, with over 780 trains every weekday carrying some 30 million passengers a year.
Nearly half of its passengers are daily users. Assessment showed that Merseyrail consistently achieves best in class performance, has inspiring leaders, empowers its people and has a customer-focused culture.
Meanwhile East Coast won special awards for both Customer Service and Learning & Development. The company employs 2,800 staff and carries 18.5 million passengers a year.
Following the introduction in May of the biggest timetable change on the route in 20 years, it now runs 155 services per weekday, a 55 per cent increase on the 100 operated when the route was first privatised in 1996.
Around 400 business people attended the awards ceremony at The Point, Lancashire County Cricket Club. David Teale, chief executive of North of England Excellence, said:
“Our winners demonstrate the strength of business practice across the North.
“These awards quite rightly highlight and celebrate the success of businesses committed to continual improvement and innovation, with management and staff at all levels working together to deliver outstanding results.”
Wow Congratulations!