Easiest/hardest franchises to manage?

[Statto]

Easiest, Merseyrail most of it is self contained, even having there own platform(s) at Chester & Southport, only real conflict with other TOCs is at, Hunts Cross West Junction, & ECS movements at Chester to the sidings/depot.

Herdest, Cross Country, having to fit the schedules in around other TOCs on all branches, any delays on one section of the network add to delayed elsewhere including for other TOCs.

 

[Journeyman]

Caledonian Sleeper is very tricky. I speak from experience!

Massive operating area, running at night when there's engineering work everywhere, complex relationships with suppliers, very labour intensive, and only a few trains a night, so one delay absolutely trashes your PPM measures.

 

[willgreen]

Government and Travellers expectations are extremely high.

Does that not make it difficult? Politically it's a very difficult franchise (although infrastructure-wise it isn't the hardest).

 

[Fyldeboy]

Does that not make it difficult? Politically it's a very difficult franchise (although infrastructure-wise it isn't the hardest).

I totally agree. My post says that it is easy, but follows that with your excerpt, after a but - ie, factors that compromise that easiness.