Avanti West Coast, which serves major towns and cities on the West Coast between London and Scotland, is now part of the UK Rail Research Innovation Network (UKRRIN) designed to create collaboration between academia and the rail industry.
“Joining the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network will help us to progress ideas, explore opportunities, enabling us to play our part in building a railway for the future, as we strive to find new ways of working and initiatives that deliver the best possible customer experience,” said Michael Weston, Executive Director of Projects at Avanti West Coast. “We’re excited to be a part of this great network of world-leading experts and look forward to collaborating with them to create a railway the UK can be proud of.”
The UKRRIN network, led by the University of Birmingham's Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE), provides its members with access to the latest facilities and research from experts across the industry. It aims to support the development and adoption of new solutions and technologies.
Avanti West Coast will gain access to experts in digital systems, rolling stock, and infrastructure. This will enable it to better identify opportunities to develop and innovate its customer services and its day-to-day operation.
Paul Plummer, Professor in Rail Strategy at the BCRRE said: “In these challenging times it’s more important than ever that the industry is able to innovate to improve customer experience, sustainability and affordability. We’re delighted to be working with Avanti West Coast on their priorities and for them to become the first train operating company to join UKRRIN.”
