East Coast, which runs services
from London to Yorkshire, the North East and Scotland, has reported
increased profits and an improvement in passenger satisfaction.
Directly Operated Railways (DOR), which was
temporarily re-nationalised by the Government three years ago and took
over the running of the East Coast line from National Express, said its
operating profit increased by 7% in the year to March to £7.1 million.
Turnover
for the year amounted to £665.8 million, an increase of £20 million,
leaving a profit before tax and service payments to the Department for
Transport of £195.7 million, an increase of £13 million.
Passenger
journeys at East Coast increased by 2.1%, while customer satisfaction
rose by 2%, and the latest punctuality figures were its best since
records began in 1999.
DOR chairman Doug Sutherland said: "During
the year, we made further very good progress with the business
turnaround of East Coast, and continued to invest in our infrastructure
assets, our people, and the delivery of significant improvements in
customer service.
"Our assets have been worked harder, and a solid financial performance has been achieved in a challenging economic environment.
"The major challenge in May 2011 was the introduction of a comprehensive timetable change across the entire East Coast network.
"Despite
being the biggest change on the East Coast Main Line in 20 years - and
10 years in the making by the industry - the new timetable was
introduced seamlessly by East Coast. I want to thank everyone who helped
to make that possible."
DOR said it anticipated that the franchise will transfer to a new private operator around the end of 2013.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-11699539