An interview with Howard Smith, Transport for London - September 2007
Marion spent time with Howard Smith, Chief Operating Officer of London Rail at TfL.
When we first asked Howard Smith to be interviewed for this magazine, his reply was: “how long will it take? I’m very busy.” But with our conversation lasting longer than he (or I) had expected, it was obvious that this was a man passionate about his work. Good news for Londoners as Smith, Chief Operating Officer of London Rail at TfL, is responsible for the delivery and operation of two of the capital’s most adventurous rail schemes – extending the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and creating the London Overground Railway – both vital for the success of the 2012 Olympics.
To those of us not living or working in East London, who still think the DLR is “that wee rail line, famous for its driverless trains” are in for a shock. The 31st August this year saw its 20th birthday – with plenty to celebrate. The DLR has proved so popular that it now carries 60 million passengers per year, and Smith is quick to point out that capacity will increase even further – to 100 million by 2009 – once his order of three-car trains replaces the existing two-car set and station platforms are extended. The latest delegations from China and Taiwan are so impressed by the DLR that they want to learn more about light rail expansion. What’s more, the DLR has an enviable customer satisfaction rating of 96%.
Although the DLR is operated by Serco, TfL own the track and trains, and have ultimate responsibility for its future expansion. As Planning Director at DLR from 1998 until 2004, Smith led the DLR City Airport and Woolwich Arsenal extensions and also planned the expansion to Stratford International – not done from behind a desk I might add. Smith spent several months outside walking every inch of the route looking for alignment options with the project engineers and clearly loved every minute of it.
Graduating from London School of Economics, Smith jumped at the chance to join British Rail’s management trainee programme in 1986 – encouraged by his parents, who both worked on the railways. Like many of his contemporaries, Smith acquired an overview of the rail industry second to none with British Rail.
As station manager at Richmond and Balham stations in South West London, he learnt everything from dealing with point failures to staff rosters and marketing. Smith also has responsibility for the ambitious £1.4 billion London Overground network, which will eventually form an orbital rail network around London. The Overground links the North London Line (currently operated by Silverlink Metro until November 2007) with the extension of the East London Line. It will be managed by TfL and Smith is delighted to say, operated by MTR/Laing, the same company that runs the impressive Mass Transit Railway in Hong Kong and operations in Shanghai. MTR/Laing will operate the Overground as London Overground Operations Ltd.
A similar model to the DLR in terms of philosophy, Smith’s desire is that the Overground branded network will set new standards for train travel in the UK. TfL’s franchise agreement with MTR/Laing will mean all stations will be upgraded and importantly staffed from start to finish of service, and sophisticated new rolling stock will be introduced by 2010. Between 1991-98 Smith worked in planning and operating Channel Tunnel freight to and from Italy and Belgium. Regardless of sector – public or private, Howard Smith is a visionary rail man that gets things done.
Visit Transport for London at www.tfl.gov.uk
