RAIL freight operator English Welsh and Scottish Railways (EWS) has awarded Lex Transfleet's Fleet Management division a three-year contract worth about £3 million.

The deal is for the management and maintenance of its road fleet vehicles comprising more than 560 cars, car-derived vans, minibuses, pick-ups and other vehicles. Lex also provides a hire management service that allows requests to be dealt with through a single number.

Lex said it worked closely with EWS for a number of months to decide and develop the best solution.

Barry Illing who heads up EWS road fleet management said: 'I was impressed by the company's obvious ability to manage all of the activities we required through a single process. I also appreciate the fact that we can receive key management information via the internet, data that will help me to reduce my wholelife running costs. The information I receive also highlights any driver misuse and reports on the extent and cost of accident damage instantly, so I can keep abreast of what is happening on a day-to-day basis.'

To guarantee service levels, Lex Transfleet and EWS have agreed a series of key performance indicators which have to be met. If for any reason they are not, then Lex Transfleet incurs a financial penalty.