Trainline chief executive takes 50% pay cut as part of COVID-19 mitigation plans

Trainline, the digital rail and coach ticketing platform, has put emergency mitigation policies in place due to falling passenger numbers because of COVID-19.

An update from Clare Gilmartin, Trainline’s chief executive, said she will take a salary reduction of 50% for the foreseeable future, the board of directors and management team have taken a voluntary 20% reduction in their board fees and salaries, executive directors and the management team are deferring their annual bonuses for 2020 and the company is furloughing certain teams under the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS).

All marketing, discretionary spend, recruitment, bonus payments and pay reviews have been paused for 2020. It is also revising payment terms with some of its suppliers.

As a result of the actions across the group, Trainline’s cash outflow from operating costs and capital expenditure has reduced by up to £9 million per month.

Gilmartin said: “Our people and our customers have always been our key priority.

“Over the past few weeks, we have worked extremely hard on our customers’ behalf to help them through what has been unprecedented levels of travel disruption.

"I would like to thank my team for their commitment and support, and our customers for their loyalty and patience throughout this period.

“Trainline is a resilient business and we believe that our prudent action now strengthens us for the long term, positioning us well to return to growth once travel restrictions lift.”

Gilmartin said all teams were able to swiftly transition to work from home with minimal disruption to the business. 

Trainline has introduced self-service automated change and refund processes through its app and website to help process customer service requests since the lockdown.

Gilmartin said: “As the impact of COVID-19 remains uncertain, Trainline will continue to monitor developments closely and adapt our response accordingly.

“…We remain confident we can operate through an extended downturn period if required, without any further cost mitigation.”