The people and organisations that make a real difference to transport across the capital were recognised at the 2020 London Transport Awards last night. Attended by 400 industry professionals, the ceremony was hosted by comedian Laura Lexx in Vauxhall's Park Plaza Riverbank hotel. Now in their 17th year the awards continue to recognise excellence, innovation and progress across all areas of transport in London.
Deputy Mayor for Transport Heidi Alexander gave the keynote speech and said:
Transport is the lifeblood of London's economy and that is why we, at City Hall, are doing everything we can to ensure our city's network remains one of the world's very best. In the next couple of years alone we will be delivering the Elizabeth Line, expanding the Ultra-Low Emission Zone and introducing the world-first Direct Vision Standard.
"The London Transport Awards brings together and celebrates the achievements of a truly inspiring group of people who help to ensure that our first-class transport system runs smoothly and efficiently. I congratulate all the winners and entrants for everything they've done to ensure this vital industry continues to thrive. I'm particularly pleased that Mike Brown has been recognised for his outstanding contribution to transport in London. Mike is quite simply the best public servant I have ever worked with and it's totally right that he has been recognised in this way."
Rail Operator of the Year was won by Heathrow Express who in 2019 completed the biggest organisational change in its history. The transition came following the Department for Transport announcement that the Heathrow Express service will run until at least 2028 with First Group's Great Western Railway (GWR) taking on the operation of Heathrow Express trains under a management contract. Despite the big shift, in June 2019 Heathrow Express topped the UK's National Rail Passenger Survey for the third time running with 95% overall satisfaction, also scoring 96% for punctuality and reliability.
Abellio London (West) scooped up the TfL endorsed 'Bus Operator of the Year' prize. In a recent review of their performance data, Abellio London (West) scored in the top three operators for reliability, driving standards and mystery shopper surveys. They also opened a brand new, third garage in Southall in July, from which route 207 operates. As part of Abellio London, they have also shown a commitment to working with Transport for London on a range of issues, including accessibility and customer experience.
Transport for London's Head of Press Desk for Streets and Policing Claire Jermany took away the Stuart Ross Young Transport Communications Professional of the Year Award which commemorates the life and work of Stuart Ross, TfL Director of News, who sadly passed away in 2016. After joining the TfL Press Office from TfL's graduate scheme in 2017 Claire rose to become Senior Press Officer within two years. She was instrumental in securing and delivering a four-part documentary series on Channel 5 about TfL's efforts to tackle fare evasion. She also led on a policing brief to encourage more people to report unwanted sexual behaviour and promoted a road safety campaign.
The frontline employee award which recognises the hardworking actions of the individuals on our frontline. This year's winner is Rohan Palmer is a station supervisor for Arriva Rail London Overground at Hackney Downs. Rohan has been working on the London railways since the year 2000 and adds the human and personal touch to peoples' journeys. He has also on many occasions helped people contemplating suicide sitting and talking to them. Rohan estimates that he has intervened with persons behaving suspiciously on at least 10 occasions since January 2018. "He knows the signs. On many occasions he's gone out and kept someone talking to defuse a situation. Sat down and talked some more. Once he sat for hours with a young man, they both cried together, and Rohan ended up holding his hand and walking him home. He checked on the young man a few times afterwards just to make sure he was still okay."
Though thinking she was up for 'frontline employee', Margaret Lonergan was honoured with a first of its kind prize at the London Transport Awards – the 'Lifetime Contribution as a Frontline Employee' award. Margaret has 44 years' experience as a much-valued School Crossing Patrol. She is London's longest serving School Crossing Patrol and, if she continues through 2020, it appears she'll be the longest serving Patrol the nation has ever seen. Margaret has provided a vital role in helping generations of pedestrians and in particular children on the school journey to cross the road in safety on a busy Islington road.
Handed out by former Transport Commissioner Sir Peter Hendy CBE on the night, Mike Brown MVO, who leaves the position as Transport Commissioner this spring himself was awarded with 'Lifetime Contribution to Transport in London'. This award was nominated by our judging panel to celebrate Mike's achievements in the transport industry in London over the years.
Mike joined London Underground in 1989 and worked in various operational manager roles before becoming the company's Chief Operating Officer in 2003. In 2008, he left to head up Heathrow. He re-joined London Underground in 2010 as Managing Director, remaining in this role until 2015 when he was appointed as Transport Commissioner.
The London Transport Awards, in association with Transport Times magazine, were judged by:
- Valerie Shawcross CBE, Chair of the Judging Panel and Former Deputy Mayor for Transport
- Professor David Begg, Chief Executive, Transport Times
- Katharina Winbeck, Head of Transport, Environment and Infrastructure, London Councils
- Leon Daniels OBE, Principal, Leon Daniels & Associates Ltd
The full list of award winners and those who were highly commended is as follows:
Excellence in Cycling and Walking
London Borough of Camden jointly with TfL Cycling team - Midland Road-Judd Street scheme
Most Effective Road Safety, Traffic Management & Enforcement
Croydon Council - Construction Logistics within The Croydon Growth Zone
Bus Operator of the Year endorsed by Transport for London
Abellio London (West)
Rail Operator of the Year
Heathrow Express - The Hermes Project
Most Innovative Transport Project sponsored by Amey
Transport for London - Green Man Authority
Contribution to Sustainable Transport sponsored by First Rail
City of London Corporation - Zero Emission Fleet
Excellence in Technology sponsored by Blink
Cubic Transportation Systems and Rail Delivery Group – Barcode Enablement Programme
Transport Team/Partnership of the Year
Transport for London - Highbury Corner Gyratory Removal
Transport Supplier of the Year
STM Group (UK) Ltd - Making a Difference
Excellence in Travel Information and Marketing
Transport for London - Access All Areas 2019
Frontline Employee of the Year sponsored by Go-Ahead
Rohan Palmer, Station Supervisor, Hackney Downs - Arriva Rail London
Highly Commended
Hayder Al Hussaini, Driver, Abellio
Norman Kawuma - Driver, Abellio
Penny Powell, Drivee, Abellio
Joyce Herbert, Community Ambassador, MTR Elizabeth Line
Elizabeth Jara, Customer and Community Ambassador, MTR Elizabeth line
Lifetime Contribution as a Frontline Employee
Margaret Lonergan, School Crossing Patrol, Islington Council
The Stuart Ross Young Transport Communications Professional of the Year Award
Claire Jermany, Head of Press Desk for Streets and Policing, Transport for London
Highly Commended
Laura Parry, Senior Transport Planner – Zero Emissions Network, Hackney, Islington and Tower Hamlet Councils
Lifetime Contribution to Transport in London
Mike Brown MVO
The awards are organised by Transport Times Events.
For further information contact: Transport Times Events on 0207 828 3804.
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Contact Kirsty Walton, Events Manager
Tel: 0207 828 3804
Email: [email protected]
