Article: London Tube chief to head Sydney Trains

[ozbob]

From the Sydney Morning Herald click here!

London Tube chief to head Sydney Trains

London Tube chief to head Sydney Trains
February 15, 2013

THE man who made the London Tube work during last year's Olympics will be the next boss of Sydney's rail system.

Howard Collins, made an officer of the Order of the British Empire for his management of transport during the Olympics, will be the first head of Sydney Trains, the new organisation to run trains in the city.

The appointment continues a long tradition in Sydney of appointing British rail executives and has been hailed as a coup by the Transport Minister, Gladys Berejiklian.

''The fact we were able to attract someone of Mr Collins's calibre is a significant sign of confidence in the reforms we are undertaking,'' Ms Berejiklian said.
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Mr Collins has had a 35-year career in the London transport system. He was responsible for restoring services after the 2005 London bombings and, by the Olympics, had the top job with the London Underground.

The appointment is a key one for the O'Farrell government and for Ms Berejiklian, who is overhauling the management of the state's rail system.

RailCorp, the operator of NSW trains, will be dissolved from July. Sydney Trains will operate most suburban services and NSW Trains will run services from regions such as the central coast and Wollongong as well as CountryLink.

The role of the chief executive of RailCorp, Rob Mason, will be downgraded. Mr Mason will take over as NSW Trains chief.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/london-tube-chief-to-head-sydney-trains-20130214-2efxb.html

[boxe]

The use of the word "downgraded" implies what we have always suspected. People living in the regions deserve less than what inner/ higher socioeconomic City areas get.

[minbrisbane]

I wouldn't say that.  Railcorp no longer exists, which comprised the country and city services.  Now separated, the role no longer exists and he's gone to head NSW trains, which would be on par with the Sydney trains top job.

[SurfRail]

The use of the word "downgraded" implies what we have always suspected. People living in the regions deserve less than what inner/ higher socioeconomic City areas get.

The ugly truth nobody wants to deal with is that this is generally 100% correct.  Cities have far more people to benefit from major infrastructure projects, contribute more to the national economy and are easier to provision.

[ozbob]

Sydney Morning Herald --> Snarls signal size of new rail chief's job

[somebody]

Half hour interview on ABC Radio National: http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/sundayprofile/howard-collins2c-incoming-sydney-trains-ceo/4589276

Didn't notice one mention of faster or more frequent services!