FIVE REASONS PEOPLE LOVE EXCHANGE EXTRA

As we approach the first year of Exchange Extra, we'd like to take some time to reflect on the great stories we have featured. Let's take a trip back to see why you love Exchange Extra.

1. Announcement of award winners

Shining Stars Awards 2023 was our most popular story in June 2023. Exchange Extra exclusively announced the winners who were nominated by peers recognising the extraordinary work colleagues do on a day-to-day basis.

Our most popular story in May was the Long Service Awards 2023. Over 233 colleagues reached a milestone this year with Jonathan Fife, driver instructor, celebrating a mammoth 40 years with ARL. 

2. Exchange Extra allows colleagues to share their talents outside of their day job.

The Secret Life of Paul Searle was our most popular story in January 2023. During the downtime that lockdown provided, Paul released his first book inspired by his daughters. You can order a copy by clicking here.

In May, to coincide with the coronation weekend, we were told the story of Tejinder Sharma, customer host in The King and I. Tejinder was 'recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in 2017 for his contribution to Hindi literature.'

3. People profiles

Exchange Extra has continued the ever-popular series '60 seconds with…' profiling newcomers. In April, our most popular story was 60 seconds with Hubert Przybysz. He now lives his childhood dream of becoming a train driver after being a revenue protection assistant at Southwestern Railway.

Another story that got colleagues' attention was the profile of Grace Ogunseye; I have worked with ARL since September 2017. Grace looks back at the past five years she has worked with ARL and the lessons she has learned.

4. Operational advancements

ARL announced plans for the radical transformation of Surrey Quays station in February. In one of our most popular stories of the month, A step up for Surrey Quays, Exchange Extra allowed those working at Surrey Quays to express what these changes would mean for them.

In May, Toni-Anne Davis, communications coordinator, had the opportunity to attend Operation Tornedo at Highbury & Islington. Exploring the importance of operations like this and the required collaboration to tackle several issues experienced whilst tackling ticketless travel.

5.  Headline features

Eight months of the year, we produce in-depth headline features which are topical subjects in the ARL calendar that have proven very popular with our readers.

Safety is no drag, our most popular story in February, explored the collaborative effort between ARL and TfL to reduce the risk of so-called 'trap and drag' incidents at the platform and train interface on the Overground.

We've had other fantastic headline features throughout the year, including:

• Keeping in touch like a pro explored the MPRO5 rollout. A new app that has changed the way Traincare colleagues manage tasks, making their work easier and smarter.
• Busyness, as usual delved into how our customers are using new loading indicators on Wonderwall screens at peak times to find less crowded parts of the train to travel in.
• Knowing me, knowing you we asked Hakim Bouhedja, customer host and Steve Best, finance director to share their experience of the reverse mentoring programme.

Exchange Extra has proven to not only be informative but a platform for new, fun and engaging stories shared by the people for the people.