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Virgin Trains scoops IofTM award

Virgin Trains has won another award, being voted the top long-distance franchise operator for 2012 by leading industry experts.

The Institute of Transport Management placed Virgin Trains at the top of the industry, beating UK operators and SNCF-owned Eurostar.

The ITM based its award on areas including price, frequency, punctuality, health and safety, comfort and cleanliness. It is because of this that the Institute of Transport Management has given Virgin Trains the award of 'Long Distance Franchise Provider 2012', in respect of the full service offering that it provides its customers.

According to the ITM: “Virgin is a company that cares about people – both its customers and its staff – and this shines through in the service that it provides. Its success speaks for itself, in its doubling of passenger numbers, in its customer satisfaction ratings and in its commitment to continual improvements. Its vision to transform rail travel is well on the way to being a reality and the Institute is very pleased to award it the title of ‘Long Distance Franchise Provider 2012’. It is very well deserved.”

Tony Collins, CEO of Virgin Trains said: “We pride ourselves on customer service and independent surveys and awards repeatedly recognise the efforts made by our staff. We are delighted to win this ITM award ahead of competition such as Eurostar and we will continue to work hard to provide the best possible service.”

Virgin Trains has recently been named best train operator by Which? Magazine, and is top of the long-distance train franchises by the independent National Passenger Survey. It also won best rail operator last year in the Daily Mail Globe Travel Awards.