11.09.18
New Network Rail boss tells MPs he will put passengers’ interests first
The new chief executive of Network Rail Andrew Haines has told MPs he will put “passenger’s interests front and centre” following “seven sustained years of decline in performance.”
Haines outlined his priorities for his Network Rail tenure and the key challenges facing the organisation when he was questioned by the Transport Select Committee.
After being asked to identify Network Rail’s biggest weakness, Mr Haines told the committee: “I think the passengers fundamentally don’t understand what Network Rail does and I don’t think they have confidence that Network Rail is looking out for them.
“So, my commitment is to make sure passengers’ interests are front and centre of Network Rails’ agenda for every single one of our employees.”
Haines added: “The reason I took on the job — a few people described it to me as one of the worst jobs in Britain — was because I’ve been very passionate throughout all my career about putting passengers first, and I’m not sure Network Rail is perceived as that at the moment.”
Haines took over from Mark Carne as chief executive at the government-owned company last month, leaving his role at the Civil Aviation Authority.
He warned that the industry is in a position where it believes “seven sustained years of decline in performance cannot be dealt with”.
He added: “I fundamentally don’t believe that.”
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