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4th September 2007
~ Mr David
Brown, Managing Director (Surface Transport), Transport
for London opens Metroline’s ‘CELF’ ~
 Transport for London's Managing Director of Surface Transport, David Brown, officially opened Metroline's new Central Engineering and Logistics Facility (CELF) on Tuesday 4th September.
This new and innovative facility is a long-term investment by Metroline to unlock the full potential of Metroline's engineering and logistics staff, and raise Metroline's engineering and logistical capabilities to a new level of excellence as it enters a period of expansion in the provision of top-quality bus services under contract to Transport for London.
Located close to Metroline's West Perivale bus garage, CELF is a state-of-the-art engineering and logistics centre. With a first-class working environment and modern equipment throughout, this facility also provides the platform for a range of business improvement initiatives now underway across the company. Metroline's aim is to set the standard for engineering quality and performance in London, and this facility will have a key role to play in delivering the change programme needed to ensure success.
The CELF provides an integrated capability for scheduled vehicle maintenance and preparation for annual FFD checks. It also includes Metroline's relocated Accident Repair Centre which benefits from increased capacity and much improved infrastructure, and a brand new FFD Test Centre, purpose-built to the latest VOSA specifications. These engineering facilities are complimented by a Central Logistics Hub for the whole company.
CELF also encompasses brand new facilities for West Perivale Garage engineering, previously located near Wembley stadium.
Jaspal Singh, Metroline CEO, said, "CELF sets a benchmark for this type of facility in the UK and, combined with other initiatives already underway across the Company, will place Metroline in a position to match and exceed the highest standards amongst bus operators anywhere. This is a huge opportunity for us to maximise our engineering performance and quality; something that ultimately benefits our passengers through a higher quality, more reliable and presentable bus service".
Also in attendance from Metroline were; John Lee, Executive Director and Sean O'Shea, Chief Operating Officer and Russell Hargrave, Director of Engineering. From Metroline's parent company ComfortDelGro Corporation in Singapore were; Mr Lim Jit Poh, Chairman, and Mr Kua Hong Pak, Managing Director / Group CEO.
In his speech at the Opening Ceremony, David Brown said that he "fully endorsed" this investment. He praised Metroline for its commitment to investment in people, and further congratulated ComfortDelGro for their commitment to the continued improvement in bus services to the people of London.
Jaspal Singh added that he was "pleased to note the progress Metroline has made over the last 2 years in raising its quality of engineering and service delivery. With a peak-period service fleet requirement now in excess of 1000 buses". CELF will put Metroline in a good position to provide even more reliable and better quality of bus services to the people of London.
- Ends -
Notes
to editors:
- For further information or photos contact Communications Manager Scott Crowder on 020 8218 8896 or scrowder@metroline.co.uk
- The redevelopment of North Wembley engineering facilities last year, the inauguration of CELF and the on-going redevelopment of Cricklewood garage were at a cost of nearly £12 million, testimony to ComfortDelGro's commitment to London.
- Metroline is one of the top five London-based bus companies, currently running 13.5% of the capital's bus services under contract to Transport for London.
- Metroline carries 250 million passengers every year, operates 93 routes, covers over 38.5 million journey miles each year, employs almost 3850 people and runs a fleet of over 1,200 buses in North, West and Central London and South Hertfordshire.
- Metroline is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Singapore based ComfortDelGro Corporation Limited, which is the world's second largest listed land transport company.
- Photo (left to right) Russell Hargrave, Metroline Director of Engineering, Jaspal Singh Metroline CEO, Mr Kua Hong Pak ComfortDelGro Corporation,Singapore, Managing Director / Group CEO, David Brown Transport for London's Managing Director of Surface Transport, Mr Lim Jit Poh Chairman ComfortDelGro Corporation , and Sean O' Shea Metroline COO.
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