BOSSES at a rail company which has been plagued by strikes have pledged improvements in services in the year ahead.

Ray Price, managing director at Arriva Trains Northern (ATN), told stakeholders at a meeting at York's National Railway Museum that the focus was on "improving quality".

With the conductor and station staff disputes now finished, Mr Price said the company was "drawing a line in the sand".

He said: "Last year was a challenging year, but now it is time to look forward for our customers, employees and the business.

"All too often this industry spends its time dwelling on the past. I believe we need to be firmly focused on what lies ahead.

"At Arriva Trains Northern we will be strengthening our focus on safety, service delivery and customer care."

Meanwhile, commuters will get the chance tomorrow to find out all about the Harrogate line when ATN holds a customer forum at Harrogate Station.

Company chiefs will be at the station from 3pm to 6pm to answer customers' questions.

Peter Myers, ATN's head of stations, said: "We appreciate that it has not been an easy ride on the Harrogate line recently, with necessary engineering work by Network Rail taking place at short notice and the need for a temporary timetable during that time.

"However, we want to get out there, meet our customers, listen to their views, answer their questions and share with them what will be taking place this year on their local rail network."

Updated: 10:28 Thursday, March 06, 2003