Merseyrail chief bids fond farewell

Oct 4 2007 by Larry Neild, Liverpool Daily Post

THE Dutch rail expert who oversaw the introduction of Merseyrail’s revolutionary train contract five years ago is to leave the region.

Patrick Verwer, Mersey-rail’s Dutch managing director, has announced he will be leaving the company on November 1 to lead a NedRailways team which is exploring UK railway industry opportunities.

Mr Verwer, who will be based in London, will be succeeded at Merseyrail by another Dutchman, Bart Schmeink. He takes over his new post on November 1.

Last night, Mr Verwer said: “I have been in Liverpool and involved in Merseyrail right from the very start in 2002.

“I led the team that won the bid and subsequently I and 1,150 Merseyrail colleagues have been able to deliver what we promised.

“I am proud that Merseyrail has now become consistently one of the very best train companies in the UK. In my time here, I feel I have become more of a Liverpudlian than a Dutchman and I will miss Merseyrail, the city and the people enormously.

“I have had a great five years but it is time for me and my family to move on and I look forward to my new challenge, although I will still be a regular visitor to Liverpool, not least for football reasons.”

Mr Schmeink has a background in railway infrastructure management.

He was previously managing director of Prorail’s maintenance division (the Dutch equivalent of Network Rail).

He is familiar with the UK and the UK rail industry through his work on various bids for UK rail franchises for NedRailways.

Mr Schmeink said: “I feel I already know Merseyrail quite well as its good reputation has spread, even to Holland.

“Also, I look forward to becoming part of a real football city. I am a Feyenoord supporter and so is my young son who is the proud owner of a Dirk Kuyt football shirt which he wears virtually night and day.

“Patrick has achieved a great deal over the last five years or so and I’m hoping to continue where he left off.

“Plenty of good work has been done but there is also a lot still left to do and I am determined to make Merseyrail even better than it is today.”

Cllr Mark Dowd, chairman of Merseytravel, praised the work of Mr Verwer.

He said “Patrick has played a major part in the ongoing success of the Merseyrail network, which is now one of the country’s best.”

larryneild