Richard Rowland has been appointed performance director at First Capital Connect as part of an initiative to give Network Rail more opportunities in the evening and at weekends to maintain and upgrade the track.
Richard has been with FirstGroup for eight years, initially with First Great Western before moving to First Capital Connect in 2009. With over 25 years experience in the rail industry Rowland started his career in retail and station management with British Rail. He rose to become Customer Service Director of Thames Trains.
He has also been a member of successful franchising bidding teams and was responsible for the sale of the Merseyrail Electrics franchise on behalf of the Strategic Rail Authority. His more recent career has been in railway operations and performance management in First Group.
Operations Director Jackie Townsend will continue to be responsible for day-to-day operations but will have a new, specific role reviewing ways FCC can improve services on the London to Brighton and Wimbledon loop south Thameslink route.
Says Jackie, ‘We need to look at how we work together with Network Rail and Southern at times of disruption, and improve the exchange of travel information between train companies. The aim is for a seamless service between both companies with the passengers at the centre of our decisions.’
More train washing and additional cleaners on trains will boost cleanliness this summer. An emergency vehicle will be located at Brighton for driver managers and engineers to respond faster to train faults. FCC is also fielding more customer service staff on the southern part of the Thameslink route.
