LONDON MIDLAND has announced that it is cutting around 150 back office jobs, but has given an assurance that customer-facing staff will not be affected. The company said the reductions were necessary because of rising costs, and that a consultation would now be launched.

Managing director Patrick Verwer said “The service to our passengers will not be affected by the changes. We have made good progress over the last year. Our train service is much improved and higher customer satisfaction scores tell us passengers can see the difference.

“Like every other business however, we have to keep our costs under control. Our proposal has been designed to increase efficiency and reduce our costs while continuing to improve trains and station services.”

The operator has come under fire during the past couple of years because a major shortage of drivers caused the cancellation of hundreds of services, particularly in the West Midlands.

The franchise is owned by Govia and currently runs until September next year, with a possible extension until June 2017 as part of the Department for Transport's revised franchising timetable.