South West Trains has announced a number of job cuts in an effort to save money.

The current economy and reduced passenger numbers has led South West Trains (SWT) to announce it is to reduce its workforce by 480 employees, although it will continue to operate the same number of train services.

The company, which runs 1,675 trains every weekday and employs 5,200 staff, believes the cuts will help reduce its rail operation costs. Train drivers and all frontline staff will not be affected by the cuts.

In a statement, SWT said: “Subject to consultation with staff, our plans will involve a reduction of around 480 management, administration and other roles across the company. Taking into account existing vacancies and posts which have been withdrawn, this will mean the actual number of people leaving the company will be around 200.

“…We are all aware we are operating in an unprecedented economic environment, which is affecting all areas of the economy…We expect this challenging climate to continue through 2009 and into 2010.”

Earlier this week, BBC News Online reported a leaked SWT memo that revealed the train company was shortening its trains in another effort to save money, cutting the length of nearly 100 trains running at weekends and during the day.

SWT operates routes through Hampshire, Surrey, Dorset, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Devon, Somerset, Cornwall and Greater London, serving around 160 million passenger journeys a year.