David Saunders

Said the following about Avanti Milton Keynes Platforms:

“The Avanti Platform Team at Milton Keynes Central has over the last year delivered some exceptional performances for the travelling public, Company and network.

The team have had 6 suicide interventions in the last year, including once where someone returned for a second time and the staff were switched on enough to keep an eye on them.

On multiple occasions, the lifts failed at the station, and luggage has been carried up and down stairs throughout shifts. Wheelchair users have also been assisted leaving the platforms on these occasions.

Trespassers have been apprehended before a serious incident or delays happened on 3 occasions. At least one of these occasions led to a prosecution.

A passenger was physically pulled away from the platform edge, oblivious to the train approaching.

When the West Coast mainline was blocked between Milton Keynes Central and Rugby, The staff excelled both for the customers and Avanti. Owing to late running buses from Rugby on all nights the staff organised onward transport for up to 65 people who had through no fault of their own missed the last train to London. This meant the staff remained on duty over their booked hours to ensure all passengers, including elderly, children and disabled were safe and on their way to London. This was done without question and entirely for the benefit of the passengers. Additionally, a member of staff was assaulted when delays to buses meant people standing in the cold and wet after the numbers travelling had been grossly underestimated.“