They need to do something a bit more radical.
One idea I see as workable is to have larger TOCs with mixed fleets of small / big trains. I am sort of thinking how EMT use HSTs to Skeg in the summer, Meridians on race days at Aintree etc, but on a daily basis. (Hope I am making sense!).
For example, we see full length, fixed formation trains running around at tail ends of the day and off peak times with few people on them. I know we are never likely to go to coaches and locos again, but surely a more flexible option could be done?
In BR days, early / late trains to and from London for example from Yorkshire could be 3 or 4 coaches, but 10+ at peaks. Makes sense!
Match capacity with demand -almost impossible with fixed formation trains.
Trying to think how we could do it now - any ideas? I am thinking things like TPE and East / West Coast working together - early/late, low demand trains to and from the capital made up of a 185.... Any other suggestions?
I guess the real problem is just not enough stock available at peaks! It would need someone to bite the bullet and concede the fact that sometimes in the day, trains will be sitting doing nothing. Some would argue not cost effective - I would disagree as they would cater for demand, give people a comfortable journey and encourage new/repeat custom. Chicken and egg......
In reality, I think the review will be poorer customer service as there will be less staff, deteriorating conditions on stations and trains, people choose alternatives.....ever decreasing circles (in a bad way!).