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 | | Monday, 25 March, 2002, 15:50 GMT Arriva's �2m fine for axed trains  Arriva cut services because of driver shortages Train operator Arriva Trains Northern has been fined �2m for poor performance in 2001. Arriva came in for heavy criticism from passengers in October when it announced it would cut more than 1,000 services a week because of a driver shortage. As well as imposing the penalty, the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) has issued an order requiring the company to recruit additional drivers. On Monday, Gary Backler, the SRA's executive director for regional networks, said: "We have enforced this penalty and order against Arriva Trains Northern because it is clear the company did not properly anticipate and plan for the driver shortages which have caused so much misery for its passengers."
Additional fines of up to �5,000 per driver per month will be imposed where the company does not meet recruitment targets set by the SRA. In February, Arriva said it aimed to employ a further 170 drivers in 2002. At that time the company had already recruited enough new drivers to restore almost 160 train services a day. In a statement following the confirmation of the �2m fine on Monday, Arriva Trains said: "The majority of services were reinstated in February and the balance will be restored in June following the completion of the major Leeds infrastructure project by Railtrack. Earlier penalties "The company notes that the SRA recognises and welcomes the fact that Arriva Trains Northern has made significant steps towards rectifying the issue of driver shortage." The penalty follows consultation by the SRA with passengers, the rail industry, and stakeholder groups. In 2000, Arriva made net payments of more than �9m to the SRA after failing to meet performance targets. Mr Backler added: "Today's enforcement action will keep the management's mind focused on completing the job." | | See also:  Internet links: The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top England stories now:  Links to more England stories are at the foot of the page. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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