Chiltern Railways secures international recognition for collaborative work with West Midlands Trains

Chiltern Railways has received international recognition for their collaboration efforts with West Midlands Trains.

The train operator has achieved the International Standard for Collaborative Working, known as ISO44001, which provides organisations with a roadmap for establishing and managing collaborative relationships with suppliers, customers and partners. The standard is about driving organisational mindset and culture towards collaboration and this award demonstrates that Chiltern’s business relationships are truly collaborative.

Working in partnership, Chiltern Railways and West Midlands Trains are exploring options for a new, combined timetable on the route through Birmingham Snow Hill Station, designed to maximise capacity and punctuality for customers. Teams that look after punctuality and reliability for both train companies have worked together to better manage the response to delays and keep customers in the West Midlands on the move.

Chiltern and West Midlands Trains have also collaborated to improve customer service, working together to share customer feedback data taken from Birmingham Moor Street and Birmingham Snow Hill stations. Chiltern has helped keep customers moving by lending some trains that are not in its long-term plans to WMT during 2021. Managers have been seconded between the organisations to encourage industry learning and provide relevant technical expertise where necessary.

Chiltern Railways’ managing director, Richard Allan, said; “Chiltern is determined to work in partnership with neighbouring operators to make the best use of our collective resources for customers and we are delighted to have strengthened our can-do relationship with West Midlands Trains in 2021.”

Brian Goldsmith, client manager at the British Standards Institution, said; “By achieving this certification Chiltern Railways has demonstrated a commitment to building and developing effective business relationships using a collaborative approach. ISO 44001 supports the management of these relationships and as part of their work with West Midlands Trains will benefit rail users in the long term. I’d like to congratulate Chiltern Railways for their achievement in this space.”

West Midlands Trains’ managing director, Julian Edwards, said; “Congratulations to Chiltern Railways for gaining the ISO44001 accreditation. We were delighted to be able to assist Chiltern with their accreditation by seconding an ISO44001 experienced member of our team to help them.  We have collaborated on exchanging fleet units, our timetable plans and of course on this accreditation project. By working together, we can deliver better services for passengers and we are looking for more and more opportunities to make a difference for our customers through more initiatives like this.”

Malcolm Holmes, Executive Director of West Midlands Rail Executive, said: “Collaboration is vital to the delivery of a rail network that meets the needs of passengers. Well done to Chiltern Railways and West Midlands Trains for leading the way in the West Midlands. I’m looking forward to seeing how this relationship develops and continues to improve the passenger experience.”