WCPD Managing Director calls for industry “to put passengers at the heart” of rail reform

• West Coast Partnership Development Managing Director Shamit Gaiger joined senior industry leaders for panel discussion at Accelerate Rail conference.
• She called for rail reform decisions to be customer focused.
• The need for better collaboration as an industry was highlighted.

West Coast Partnership Development (WCPD) Managing Director, Shamit Gaiger, has called for the rail industry “to put passengers at the heart” of any reform.

She was speaking in a panel discussion centred around the shaping of Great British Railways, at this year’s Accelerate Rail conference. Joining her on the panel were fellow industry leaders Andrew Haines, Chief Executive Officer, Network Rail and Great British Railways Transition Team Lead; John Larkinson, Chief Executive Officer, Office for Rail and Road; Andy Bagnall, Chief Executive Officer, Rail Partners; and Chacasta Pritlove, Head of Transport, Google.

Speaking to an audience of railway colleagues, Shamit Gaiger highlighted the need for customers to see both immediate and long-term benefits with the future implementation of Great British Railways.

The panel discussed the barriers around delivering change and the support required from the government, as well as answering questions from the audience.

After the event, she said: “GBR and wider reform gives us a unique opportunity to have a guiding mind that sets the direction that is centred around the customer. However, we can’t wait for the reform and legislation. We each need to act now to put passengers at the heart of every decision we make.”

ENDS