Criteria: Judges will be looking for evidence of:

• overall benefits for passengers with reduced mobility;
• enhanced station facilities including waiting rooms, step-free access and level boarding;
• the provision of accessible customer information and assistance;
• accessibility improvements to rolling stock, including toilets, wheelchair spaces, information systems and on-board customer assistance;
• enhanced integration with other modes of transport ;
• benefits to the train or station operator resulting from improved accessibility and integration, including increased customer numbers, efficiency improvements and revenue.

Criteria: Judges will be looking for evidence of:

• efforts to optimise the efficiency of maintenance regimes and minimise the impact of maintenance on the operational railway;
• the deployment of smart asset management systems such as remote condition monitoring and/or predictive maintenance models;
• value engineering and innovative thinking to improve cost-effectiveness and ensure the ‘best bang for the buck’;
• attention to the trade-offs between maintenance and renewals and the opportunities to deliver minor enhancements;
• a reduction in the level of unplanned maintenance and rectification of failures in service;
• adherence to budget and timescales.
  

Criteria: Judges will be looking for evidence of:

• measures to enhance the quality of service and evidence of positive customer reaction;
• improvement to the overall customer experience during any or all aspects of their journey;
• the provision of real-time information, including during periods of disruption
• staff knowledge and behaviour;
• crisis management, the dissemination of customer-critical information, support and problem resolution;
• value-added services to improve customer experience which are not commonly part of a rail organisation’s business model;
• a positive impact on overall business and financial performance.
  

Criteria:  Judges will be looking for an individual or company that has demonstrated:

• commitment to improving gender balance by actively supporting the employment and career development of women in rail;
• positive action to encourage applications from under-represented groups;
• strong personal or corporate commitment to inclusive working practices;
• the value and business benefits of encouraging a diverse and inclusive workforce;
• initiatives that have delivered positive results in terms of equality, staff engagement, recruitment and retention.
  

Criteria: Judges will be looking for:

• a positive commitment to the education or training of railway employees;
• leadership in the provision or delivery of apprenticeship or graduate schemes;
• evidence of career development programmes that support business objectives;
• evidence that trainees have gained the skills needed to maximise their business contribution;
• proof of how investment in education and training has brought business success;
• evidence that investment in education and training has created a committed, motivated and effective workforce.
  

Criteria: Judges will be looking for an individual who:

Criteria: Judges will be looking for evidence of:

• benefits to customers including enhanced facilities and/or improved quality of service;
• business benefits such as new revenue opportunities, improved capacity, better performance and reduced operating costs;
• the use of innovative materials, techniques or systems to enhance project delivery;
• effective co-operation between all stakeholders;
• efficient planning of the work to maximise overall benefits and minimise any impact on the operational railway;
• effective delivery of works on time and within budget.
  

Criteria: Judges will be looking for evidence of:

• an effective environment to encourage innovation within the company;
• the development process from concept to use;
• how candidates made the economic case for investment in the technology;
• the criteria used to ascertain whether the organisation had the capability to develop and exploit the technology, and what steps were taken to develop that capability;
• how the innovation has made a difference to the business and/or its customers’ businesses.
  

Criteria: Judges will be looking for evidence of:

• the commercial and/or communications context in which the campaign was developed;
• programmes that work with one or more audiences, effectively managing the profile and reputation of the organisation and as an employer;
  
• the quality and use of techniques employed, including the versatility and effective use of various media (both external and internal as appropriate);
• communication effectiveness and the originality of the messages and materials;
• the business benefits of the campaign, including enhancement to reputation and awareness, improved organisational behaviour, industrial relations and/or business performance;
• post-campaign evaluation and measurement against tactical/strategic objectives, including a review of message delivery and key learnings’
• return on investment, demonstrating value for money.
  

Criteria: Judges will be looking for evidence of:

• the attraction of new freight traffic to rail, resulting in modal shift, revenue improvements or business growth;
• innovation and flexibility in meeting customer requirements, including the adaptation of services or products to improve efficiency or attract new business;
• regular communication with customers and suppliers;
• targeted, planned investment, such as the introduction of new or improved rolling stock;
• performance and safety improvements.
  

Criteria: The judges will be looking for a team that:

• makes an outstanding contribution to the rail industry;
• consistently works ‘above and beyond’ to improve their business area;
• demonstrates evidence of initiative or the ability to overcome significant challenges;
• maintains high standards and ensures good working relations between team members;
• encourages and supports their colleagues to improve;
• makes a positive impact on the business performance of their company or organisation.

Criteria: Judges will be looking for evidence of:

• initiatives to enhance the quality of service provided to rail users and/or improve the operation and performance of regional rail services;
• improvements to the overall customer experience for either passengers of freight users;
• close co-operation and co-ordination with regional or devolved authorities to maximise the benefits of any initiative;
• benefits to train or infrastructure operators and/or local transport authorities, including increased customer numbers, efficiency improvements and revenue growth.
• a positive impact on overall business and financial performance.
  

This award is by nomination from the judging panel, although recommendations are invited. Such nominations should include a brief explanation of how the nominee:

Criteria: Judges will be looking for evidence of improvements to safety and/or security through:

• the introduction or deployment of new technology, products or systems, or the innovative application to the rail sector of existing products and services from other industries;
• an understanding of potential threats and measures taken to address them;
  
• improved systems of work or working environments;
• improved company safety performance such as falling accident rates;
• benefits to staff, customers or external stakeholders, including neighbours;
• business benefits.
  

Criteria: The judges will be looking for evidence of one or more of the following:

• the provision of high-quality services and/or products to the rail sector;
• the company’s ability to understand relevant market requirements and develop a relationship with the end customer and/or local partners to ensure successful delivery;
• a willingness to build on an initial application to develop further business;
  
• a positive impact on the rail industry resulting from the company’s products or services;
• innovation in product or service delivery to improve efficiency or quality of service;
• positive benefits from collaborative, alliancing or partnership working;
• a reduction in the cost of rail operations to ensure better value for money;
• improved business performance and/or cost management.
  

Criteria: Judges will be looking for evidence of:

• a commitment to improving sustainability or reducing the environmental impact of rail services or projects through technical or process innovation;
• the introduction of environmental, social and financial policies that support more sustainable ways of working;
• initiatives or projects to improve operational resilience or mitigate the impacts of climate change on the rail network;
• environmental improvements across specific areas within the business;
  
• involvement of both senior management and staff in implementing sustainability initiatives;
• evidence that sustainability is built in to the whole business planning process;
• the impact of initiatives on operational effectiveness and commercial performance.
  

Criteria: Judges will look for excellence in the following areas:

• improving performance and delay management;
• effective co-operation with key stakeholders, both locally and nationally;
• customer service and communication, including the provision of customer information during disruption;
• investment in the development and introduction of new services and products, such as the successful introduction of new or improved rolling stock;
• growth in ridership, market share and/or revenue.
  

Criteria: Judges will be looking for evidence that an individual or company has demonstrated:

• a strong personal or corporate commitment to improving the physical and mental health of railway staff;
• positive action to promote best practice in addressing health concerns and preventing ill health;
• a strong personal or corporate commitment to the assessment, monitoring and elimination of occupational health hazards;
• the value and business benefits of encouraging a healthy workforce;
• workforce health and wellbeing initiatives that have delivered positive results.
  

Criteria: The judges will be looking for a person with a proven ability to achieve at a level beyond that normally expected from professionals of this age and experience, who displays:

• passion and drive for working within the rail industry;
• leadership and direction at any level within their company;
• dedication to the development of their company’s business;
• evidence of initiative and going the extra mile;
• exceptional progression or potential in their career;
• an outstanding personal contribution to the rail industry.