Sacked from DfT Operator! The exclusive full interview with Chris Gibb

About this episode

Chris Gibb discusses his dismissal from DFTO and his vision for the future of the West Coast Main Line.

Chris Gibb is one of the country’s most respected and experienced railway operators. His storied career includes a period as Chief operating Officer of Virgin Trains. Few people know how to get the most out of operating the West Coast Main Line as much as Chris Gibb. He’s spent time running Scotrail and sitting on the Board of Network Rail. Latterly he’s been the Senior NED on the Board of DFTO. He has seen the railway sector from every possible angle. Chris has long been an advocate for taking an holistic approach to maximising the potential of HS2. That extends to taking an integrated approach to rolling stock including how we think about the eventual need to replace the current fleet of tilting trains. Perhaps frustrated by the lack of progress and concerned that decisions may be made that could actually reduce capacity of West Coast Main line services, Chris made a presentation to the All Party Parliamentary Rail Group setting out his ideas. The Government was not impressed and within 72 hours, Chris had been dismissed from his role at DFTO. Green Signals recently met up with Chris to chat about what happened and what happens next. There’s no bitterness whatsoever. Just a…

People in this episode

Guest: Chris Gibb

Topics covered

• railway operations
• HS2
• West Coast Main Line
• transportation policy
• interview

Keywords

• Chris Gibb
• DFTO
• West Coast Main Line
• HS2
• railway operations
• transportation policy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Virgin Trains, Scotrail, Network Rail, DFTO, All Party Parliamentary Rail Group, HS2

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