Corporate Responsibility

First and foremost we are responsible for the safety of the people who use and deliver our services. Safety is absolutely key and is at the forefront of all our operations. Compared with travelling by car, you are at least ten times safer on public transport. We measure several safety indicators across our operations. In 2009 our key headlines were:

• Preventable vehicle accident rates improved considerably in the UK (18% better) and in Spain (11% better) during 2009. In addition to local initiatives, a new driver competency management system and a warning system for low bridges, were among the factors leading the improvement. A small deterioration in performance was recorded in North America – though accident rates are at a very low level.
• In UK Rail, the incidence of Signals Passed at Danger fell by 7%.
• Lost time injuries to employees in the UK remained stable, there were increases in Spain and in North America, and specific injury reduction plans have been prepared to address the current trend.

Accidents to employees and contractors which result in time off work, other than on the day of the accident itself. We aim to eliminate injuries.

Motor vehicle collisions which are deemed by the Company to have been preventable by our driver. We seek to reduce this progressively.

Signals passed at danger without the authority of the signaller in circumstances where the train received the appropriate cautionary signals and had sufficient time to stop at the signal at danger. Reducing this improves rail safety.