Professional Rail Operator

GEORGE BRYDEN, FIRO

Personal Details

Name George William Bryden

Nationality British

Rail Experience 25 years in total, 11 years Asia

Professional Bodies Fellow, Institution of Railway Operators

Key skills and experience:-

Railway Operational management – from Control Room to Director Level:

Safe and reliable operation of high frequency (90 seconds) train services

Management of operations staff of all grades and 18m passenger/year operation

Preparation and timely update of operational plans and safety procedures

Close liaison with Safety Authorities to attain and maintain operating approvals

Budget preparation and management

Operational readiness – Staffing, Emergency planning, training, official approvals

First Line accident and incident investigation

Operational troubleshooting

Planning and execution of new lines and extensions

Major tender (GBP650m) management

International Rail Consultancy experience:

Business Development and Technical Team Leader

Tender management

Operational, maintenance, safety and technical design team lead

Operating patterns, plans and procedures

New lines and extensions – feasibility, design, installation, testing, commissioning, trial running and revenue service

Stakeholder management – owner, contractor, operator, rail authorities, government

International Exposure – Europe, The Americas, Australasia,

Rail types – Freight, Mass Transit, Monorail, Heavy Passenger and HSR, along with manned/automated operation, diesel and electric traction.

Rail Career Highlights – 1991 to date

Jan 2014 to date

Great Eastern Railways Ltd.

Managing Director

Sept 2014 to date

Philippines; MICT – Calamba Freight Railway – Project Leader

Initial feasibility planning for the movement of 300,000 TEU/year via the Philippine railway network and also involving approximately 5km of on-street operation. Led successful completion of feasibility through to client commercial planning and provided service requirements and operational guidance into the preliminary design stages. Project now moved through approval phase and preparation for detail design of alignment and terminal infrastructure, train control specification, CAPEX/OPEX and the tender process for rolling stock.

Jan 2014 – May 2014

Philippines; Manila Metro Line 1 Extension – Technical Advisor

Advising successful tenderer on all operational and technical issues involved in the design, build, extension and ongoing operation PPP tender of Manila LRT Line 1.

Operational, safety and staff planning along with planning a rail replacement schedule across existing line. Devised test, commission and trial running strategy for new extension and trains.

Introduced improved methods of working, review of ‘Safety Critical Staff procedures and proposed a safety focussed Competency Management System.

Managed EPC and Systems contractors including operational oversight of the tender design process and led collation of winning tender documents.

Dec 2008 – Jan 2014

CH2M Hill/Asia Halcrow Inc, Manila, Philippines/Halcrow Consultants Sdn Bhd, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Principal Operations Consultant.

Technical Team Leader

Rail Business Development Manager

Halcrow Global Expert for Rail Operations

Jan 2014 – June 2014: Malaysia: KVMRT, Lines 2 & 3 Final Feasibility – Operations Lead

Prepared detailed operational studies including final route optimisation for maximum intermodal flexibility, service planning to 2045, fleet, depot and stabling requirements, systems, CAPEX and OPEX:-

Line 2 now under construction and Line 3 ground breaking ceremony complete

Dec 2008 – Jan 2014: Malaysia: Ampang LRT Line Extension – Technical Team Leader

Led original successful tender for the project and was team lead for the Detail Design and Specification; Ampang Line extension, Kuala Lumpur including conversion from colour light signalling to automatic train control

Developed operational models and plans for the operation of the new extension, including fleet requirements for 25 years

Production of testing, commissioning and trial running documentation

Successful submission of Railway Scheme to Director General of Railways

Management of engineering design team

Design review and optimisation for operational efficiency and safety

Led production of Contract and Systems Work procurement documentation

Tender Evaluation for Systems and Rolling Stock

Extension now open and running to original operational plans

Sept – Dec 2011: Borneo; Central Sumatra Coal Line study – Operations and Systems Lead

Carried out field study to ascertain the requirements of a new line serving several mines in Central Kalimantan, Borneo. The line will eventually haul 90mtpa of coal down to a new sea port. Undertook all operational modelling, ascertained suitable systems and provided operational input in the design of loadout and port/rail interfaces.

Jan 2010 – Apr 2013: Malaysia: Feasibility Study for the Proposed East Coast Rail Route, Project Manager – Operations and Systems

Successfully undertook feasibility study into a 550km, RM70b mixed use (predominantly freight) line, linking Kuala Lumpur with Kuantan on the East Coast and north to Tumpat, near the Thai border. Designed to generate industrial, port and population growth in eastern Peninsular Malaysia.

Starting from a blank sheet, carried out operational assessment of transport planning, route selection and interoperability of the line with KTMB and SRT. Provided technical detail of all rail systems required to support the line including frequency of service, fleet size of container, bulk and tank wagons, locomotives and passenger vehicle requirements, run times, train control, maintenance depots, stabling, staffing levels and OPEX.

Project now received construction funding.

Jan 2011 – May 2012: Malaysia: Iskandar Komuter, Project Manager

Won the project work and then led study into a third party operator undertaking commuter and freight services on KTMB infrastructure in the Iskandar region of Malaysia. Undertook operational and technical assessment, including modelling of the scheme, and systems specification. Provided effective support to the client throughout negotiations with MoT and KTMB.

Project now received Government approval.

Apr 2008 – Nov 2008

Arup Singapore Pte, Singapore

Senior Associate – Rail

Key Responsibilities/achievements:-

Asset condition study and due diligence of Melbourne Trams during re-franchising process

Feasibility Study into doubling capacity on South African freight railway

Safety assessment of Singapore underground station design

Concept design for new Singapore LRT line

Business development and operational input into Arup tender for Gold Coast LRT

Oct 2006 – Mar 2008

Halcrow Group Ltd, Derby, UK

Principal Consultant – Rail,

Key Responsibilities/achievements:-

Undertook original feasibility study for the now operational Kuala Lumpur STAR and PUTRA line extensions.

Developed operating plans, train schedules, system and fleet requirements for Kuala Lumpur 3rd Line feasibility study (now KVMRT SBK Line and about to be operational)

Undertook review of operating and safety methods for Santiago Metro, Chile successfully changing operational methodology to relieve severe overcrowding

Undertook operational and safety assessment of Kuala Lumpur Monorail leading to implementation of longer trains and other operational improvements

Business development in UK and Malaysia

Dec 2004 Sept 2006

Scott Wilson Railways, Swindon, UK.

Principal Operations Analyst

Lead roles in; Bangkok – Korat HSR feasibility study, London Crossrail timetabling and simulation, Athens Metro extensions and West London Tram modelling.

Key Responsibilities/achievements:-

Delivered London Crossrail RailSys models

Testing, commissioning, trial running and operations plans for Athens Metro extensions

Carried out feasibility study in Jamaica for a new bauxite line linking mine to aluminium plant

Lead role on a feasibility study into a proposed new 250 km high-speed rail line in Thailand. Consisted of studying seven route options, rolling stock, safety management, signalling and operational proposals. Based in Thailand and responsible for managing all Scott Wilson input from UK engineering disciplines.

Feb 2004 – Dec 2004

GB Operations Consultants

Independent consultant, advising Copenhagen Metro on SCADA and passenger focused maintenance performance, safety and training issues.

Undertook study into conversion of old heavy rail alignment to MRT in Mexico City.

Apr 2002 – Dec 2003

MetroService, Copenhagen, Denmark

Serco Support Team – Operational Project Manager

Lead role in ensuring MetroService A/S was ready to undertake the operation of the new driverless Copenhagen Metro.

Key Responsibilities/achievements:-

Restructure and preparation of Operations Department for Phase 1 trial running leading to passenger service.

Designed and implemented reorganisation of control room workstations and functions

Operational staff planning and re-training

Developed close relationship between O&M departments and Contractors, ensuring consistent approach, standards and working methods

Preparation of Safety Critical Procedures and Safety Case validation to German BOStrab and TÜV standards

Achieved all milestone approvals

Management of testing, commissioning and trial running process

Prepared Metro Service for early opening of second extension of railway. Achieved 12.10.03, two months ahead of schedule

This automated system was a first for Denmark and as such was not only highly politicised but also evoked considerable nervousness within the authorities. These stakeholder anxieties had to be carefully managed to allow progress towards required milestones, whilst ensuring that all safety and operational concerns were allayed.

Apr 2001 – Apr 2002

Manchester Tram Co. Serco Bid Team, Manchester, UK.

Director, Operations and Maintenance

Led and manage the team responsible for preparation of the O&M aspects of Serco bid for Manchester Metrolink Phase 3 contract involving six new lines. Successfully managed the preparation of all O&M bid documentation for a six line, £650m extension programme

Key responsibilities/achievements:-

Lead a team of engineers from various disciplines (civil, rolling stock, signalling, telecoms, electrification, etc.) to optimise technical, safety and operational solutions

Budget forecasting (OPEX and CAPEX)

Integration plans to test commission and trial run six new lines without disruption

Stakeholder management at all levels

Recruitment and Training Plans

With tender at BAFO stage, was asked to go to Denmark to troubleshoot the various operational and system issues on the new automated Copenhagen Metro system.

Jul 1991 – Apr2001

Metrolink, Manchester, UK.

Having started a rail career as a control room operator, whilst the line was still under construction, promoted to Senior Controller after six months of operation and Duty Manager thereafter.

In August 1998 was appointed as Assistant Operations Director, responsible for the safe and effective operation of the (then) 18m passengers/annum Metrolink system. c130 staff, reporting to the Contract Board.

Led the strategic planning and developed project implementation plan for Phase 2 of the Metrolink system. Involving safety procedure updates, approval processes, systems testing, commissioning and acceptance, trail running, staffing, training and integration of extension into existing railway.

George Bryden, FIRO,

1144 Kagitingan Street,

Barangay 34,

Tondo

Manila, 1012,

Philippines.

Phone +63 (0-927-***-****

e-mail *********@*****.***

Twitter https://twitter.com/bryden_george

LinkedIn https://ph.linkedin.com/in/george-bryden-firo-b8a01535

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