Awards success for pushing the boundaries of technology and sustainability

Arriva group's CrossCountry train business has been recognised at a two prestigious rail awards ceremonies for its use of technological advances to benefit rail users and the environment.

CrossCountry’s work to help customers plan and book their rail journeys for the cheapest price was awarded the prize for 'Mobile Technology' at the first ever UK Rail Industry Awards and, just seven days later, the 'Technology Innovation' prize at the prestigious Rail Business Awards.

The company’s new ‘The Lamp Block’ traincrew accommodation at Birmingham New Street was also awarded the prize for 'Environmental & Sustainability'; at the UK Rail Industry Awards.

Over the last five years CrossCountry, which is part of the group's Arriva UK Trains division, has been leading Britain’s rail industry in developing new technology to make rail travel easier and cheaper for customers.

CrossCountry now offers customers a smartphone app that provides full journey information and ticket retailing services; industry-leading systems to purchase Advance tickets and reserve seats on a CrossCountry train up to ten minutes before its departure from any station during its journey; m-tickets that can be sent straight to a mobile phone and e-tickets that customers can print off at home or work to avoid queuing at stations.

The Lamp Block traincrew accommodation and offices at Birmingham New Street were developed in partnership with Network Rail as part of the station redevelopment, and offer a truly eco-friendly workplace in the city centre. The state-of-the-art accommodation features solar panels and thermal tubes to reduce energy use; a building management system to monitor and optimise power use to demand; attenuation tanks to preserve rainwater; and a roof covered with low-maintenance plants and grass to improve drainage.

CrossCountry’s managing director, Andy Cooper, said: “These wins are further recognition of the good work of so many people at CrossCountry.

"The Lamp Block set new standards and shows how railway accommodation can be both functional and environmentally friendly, and our harnessing of technology has made real improvements for customers to help them plan and book their journeys with us.”

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Notes to editor:

• The inaugural UK Rail Industry Awards took place on 20 February and the Rail Business Awards took place on 27 February in London.
• CrossCountry network is the most extensive rail contract in the UK stretching from Aberdeen to Penzance, and from Stansted to Cardiff.
• CrossCountry is part of Arriva UK Trains and the Arriva group. Every year Arriva UK Trains’ rail businesses operate more than 1.2 million services and deliver more than 245 million passenger journeys.
• Arriva is one of the largest providers of passenger transport in Europe with some 54,500 employees operating in 14 countries. It also operates rail services in the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Sweden and the UK.
• Arriva is part of Deutsche Bahn, one of the world’s leading passenger transport and logistics service providers. Headquartered in Sunderland, UK, Arriva is responsible for Deutsche Bahn's passenger transport services outside Germany.