Train firm London Midland to shed 150 jobs

The company says the measures are aimed at improving efficiency and reducing spending.

It has now begun a consultation with employees.

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 company said the redundancies will mostly come from head office and support staff, according to reports.

Representatives from the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) are preparing to meet with the rail company.

Manuel Cortes, leader of the union, said: "We are very disappointed to hear about these job losses, especially as things appeared to be at last settling down at the company after all the difficulties over the past few years.

"We are seeking urgent talks to discover just whereabouts these jobs losses are planned. We do hope, however, that these cuts are nothing to do with any conditions imposed by Ministers when they extended this particular franchise last year."

In November last year, the company announced it had recruited 52 new drivers.

That announcement came after the rail company was heavily criticised the previous year for cancelling hundreds of services because of a shortage of staff.

The company was then ordered to pay £7 million in compensation to passengers because of its poor service record.