FirstGroup and MTR have appointed Andy Mellors as Managing Director of the new South Western rail franchise which includes Island Line. Although not officially the operator until 20 August 2017, the team from FirstGroup and MTR has been busy meeting with key partners on the Isle of Wight including the Isle of Wight Council.
“It is recognised by all that the Island Line provides crucial connectivity for the Island’s communities,” Andy says. “It’s not only residents that rely on the services, but tourists and students too. FirstGroup and MTR are engaging with the Isle of Wight Council and other stakeholders to understand their ideas to develop a sustainable future for Island Line. The new franchise will then submit ideas to the Government next year to place the route on a more secure basis. There is a lot going on and the FirstGroup and MTR team are working hard with as many partners on the Isle of Wight. We all look forward to developing a sustainable future for this important route.”
The company will also develop an Island Line Business Plan and a stakeholder forum to capture the needs of the people that use the service. They are also forging relationships with ferry operators to provide value for money rail-sea tickets and integrate SolentGo with the railway’s smartcard.
Andy has 25 years of experience in the industry. He has held a number of senior leadership roles since joining FirstGroup in 2002 and is currently Engineering Director and Deputy Managing Director at Great Western Railway, having previously held a similar role at First ScotRail. Andy is a Chartered Engineer and a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Andy added: “I look forward to leading the team at the new FirstGroup and MTR South Western franchise, and to build on the respected foundations established by the current South West Trains employees. We will offer the tangible benefits that customers and stakeholders have told us they want, on a key part of the country’s railway network which connects London to key towns and cities across the region. Passengers on our franchise can look forward to new and better trains, more seats and services, quicker journey times, enhanced stations and more flexible fare options.”
