Chiltern Railways has announced that it has been shortlisted for the top industry awards.

The firm, which runs trains between Banbury, Bicester and London, has been nominated for both the Rail Business Awards – where it could be named Train Operator of the Year – and the Rail Industry Awards where Chiltern is up for the Operator of the Year.

The awards are held to recognise companies that are ‘innovating to improve the passenger experience in all areas’ including customer service, safety, punctuality and reliability.

Chiltern, an Arriva UK Trains company, has also been jointly shortlisted, along with WIFi SPARK and Icomera, for the Rail Business Awards’ Customer Service Excellence category for the ‘Continuously Connected Passenger Journey’ project which has implemented a seamless Wi-Fi connection from platform to train across the entire Chiltern Railways network.

Managing director Dave Penney said: “We are tremendously proud to have been shortlisted for these awards.

“They are a testament to the hard work of the Chiltern Railways team and our industry partners.

“Working together as one railway, our aim is to improve journeys for customers both now and for the long term.”

The winners of the Rail Business Awards will be announced at the London Hilton on Park Lane on February 22.

The Rail Industry Awards will be announced at Battersea Evolution, London on March 22.

In December 2016 Chiltern Railways was ranked the worst train operator in the country at helping passengers get compensation for delays to their services.