MTR Crossrail is a rapidly growing operator. The company is currently running TfL Rail services between Shenfield and Liverpool Street and is busy recruiting and training new drivers ready for the full launch of Elizabeth Line services in 2018-19. Rail Professional Development is supporting MTR in this work, building on a relationship that has existed for over a decade and using some of the principles originally developed and applied to the first London Overground operating concession.
RPD’s Paul Durrant told the Golden Whistles conference, held prior to the 2017 awards, about this work. MTR has strong targets to achieve, with new Class 345 EMUs to introduce into service and stringent performance targets to meet. It also needs to retain the competence of its growing driver establishment, even though its requirements at this stage fall far short of the number of drivers and drivers in training now on its books.
