NR performance to be investigated in context of Northern and TPE

[daikilo]

According to Sky News Live this afternoon some sort of investigation is to be made. No indication whether it concerns the infrastructure performance or the scheduling. Interesting that TPE is included ...

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-51190399

Network Rail is being investigated over its poor service on routes used by troubled train operators Northern and TransPennine Express.

The government-owned firm has been put "on a warning" for routes in the North West and central region of England, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said.

The regulator said it was "not good enough" in those areas and was probing Network Rail's contribution to delays.

Network Rail apologised for "very poor service" in the Midlands and the North.

ORR said its performance deteriorated in 2018 and "failed to substantially recover during 2019".

Figures supplied by ORR show the proportion of scheduled train stops made on time in the last 12 months up to 4 January by Northern was 55% and 41% by TransPennine Express.

This compares to the national average of 65%.

Northern passengers have faced rail chaos since new timetables were introduced in May 2018, prompting the government to warn the firm it could lose its franchise over "unacceptable delays".

 

[Djgr]

According to Sky News Live this afternoon some sort of investigation is to be made. No indication whether it concerns the infrastructure performance or the scheduling. Interesting that TPE is included ...

Also article on BBC online at
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manchester-51190399
extract containing quotes:
Network Rail is being investigated over its poor service on routes used by troubled train operators Northern and TransPennine Express.

The government-owned firm has been put "on a warning" for routes in the North West and central region of England, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said.

The regulator said it was "not good enough" in those areas and was probing Network Rail's contribution to delays.

Network Rail apologised for "very poor service" in the Midlands and the North.

ORR said its performance deteriorated in 2018 and "failed to substantially recover during 2019".

Figures supplied by ORR show the proportion of scheduled train stops made on time in the last 12 months up to 4 January by Northern was 55% and 41% by TransPennine Express.

This compares to the national average of 65%.

Northern passengers have faced rail chaos since new timetables were introduced in May 2018, prompting the government to warn the firm it could lose its franchise over "unacceptable delays".

So basically the bulk of the rail industry in Northern England has been placed in the "naughty corner"

 

[superkev]

Although Northern/TPE performance has not been too good I'm please there having a bash at one of the other culprits.
As well as the lacklustre CAF, perhaps the Government should look in the mirror for the next to the naughty corner.
K

 

[hwl]

Somewhat of a useful self defence probably...

It will show how many of the issues are Northern / TPE / CAF / DfT (specifying the impossible) related.

Some bits of the northern/TPE areas now appear to be far more sensitive to reactionary delay, which I suspect this review will shine a light on.

In terms of reactionary delay expect big fingers pointed at:
TOC's unrealistic dwell times / door arrangements.
Insufficient recovery time at termini (huge staffing and rolling stock cost implications)
Bottlenecks that need money spending on (hint hint DfT...)
Complex service patterns

 

[quantinghome]

Somewhat of a useful self defence probably...

It will show how many of the issues are Northern / TPE / CAF / DfT (specifying the impossible) related.

Network Rail can only undertake what the DfT instruct. If it doesn't give the go ahead for a particular enhancement project, it doesn't happen.

This is a brief summary of the reasons why service improvements for lines in West Yorkshire committed to in the Northern franchise agreement haven't happened:

https://westyorkshire.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s14419/Item 9 - Appendix 1.pdf

The following sentence is repeated time and time again: "No scheme yet identified or committed to address this." Not even IDENTIFIED! The DfT signed Northern's franchise agreement 4 years ago. How did they think this stuff was going to happen?

 

[hwl]

Network Rail can only undertake what the DfT instruct. If it doesn't give the go ahead for a particular enhancement project, it doesn't happen.

Exactly self defence, "DfT haven't agreed to it guv" thus shifting the blame to DfT

Also see Holden report for SWR/T

 

[quantinghome]

Exactly self defence, "DfT haven't agreed to it guv" thus shifting the blame to DfT

Also see Holden report for SWR/T

And a completely justifiable self-defence. Are NR able to undertake infrastructure enhancements without DfT approval? DfT either needs to let them do this in response to TOC requirements, or get better at instructing what needs to be done.

 

[Railwaysceptic]

The ORR have made a rather self-serving announcement:

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/ukne...r-poor-performance/ar-BBZaLKg?ocid=spartandhp

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said it has put the government-owned company "on a warning" with regards to its performance in the northwest and central regions of England.

Performance got worse in 2018 and "failed to substantially recover during 2019", the regulator said.

The ORR will look into Network Rail's recovery plan and analyse whether it is doing "all it reasonably can to improve service for passengers".

An investigation into TransPennine Express' poor performance found "it has been largely the result of train operations".

Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines said: "For too many months, passengers - particularly in the Midlands and the North - have been coping with very poor train services.

So, the one body not at fault is the DfT.

 

[js1000]

The current system is perfect for the DfT/Government: just blame the TOCs and Network Rail.

How about not over-stretching infrastructure with too many services and investing in infrastructure to support growth and resilience on the rail network - both of which fall into the DfT's and government's responsibility.

 

[quantinghome]

"I'd like to make a complaint."

"What's the problem?"

"I bought a sofa from you and you've just dumped it in my garden!"

"Terribly sorry sir, where did you want it?"

"In the living room, just as I asked you in the delivery instruction."

"Hold on sir... Ah yes, I've got a record of that. We also have a note from the delivery team which says they delivered the sofa and were told you didn't actually have a living room."

"Well, not yet, but that's the builder's fault"

"... OK..."

"You and the builder should have sorted this out between you."

"Right... the thing is we can't..."

"I don't want your excuses. Just sort it!"

 

[jamesst]

It appears to be doing a particularly fine job of scapegoating this government...

 

[Starmill]

One Quango complains that another is performing poorly and undertakes costly investigation - all while Ministers, with whom direct responsibility for the poor performance lies, sit back and allow the show to run.

 

[jamesst]

One Quango complains that another is performing poorly and undertakes costly investigation - all while Ministers, with whom direct responsibility for the poor performance lies, sit back and allow the show to run.

And the media all play along with it...

 

[68000]

It appears to be doing a particularly fine job of scapegoating this government...

What does?

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

One Quango complains that another is performing poorly and undertakes costly investigation - all while Ministers, with whom direct responsibility for the poor performance lies, sit back and allow the show to run.

ORR became pointless in NR regulation once it became a direct arm of the Dept of Transport so lets hope the Williams review has the foresight to shunt it into the siding and just leave the rump to return to Railway Inspectorate role.

 

[DarloRich]

anyone would think a review document into the structure of the railway was due to be delivered by the government any time now! This is all preparing the ground for what Williams review suggestions the government is keen on and finding a scapegoat away from the government.

 

[superkev]

Of related interest this months Modern Railways reports the head of First has received a 40% rise to £330K. Hmm.
K

 

[jamesst]

What does?

The government seems to be doing a fine job of making anything else a scapegoat for it's own failings. Sorry I didnt make that clear.

 

[Sceptre]

Network Rail can only undertake what the DfT instruct. If it doesn't give the go ahead for a particular enhancement project, it doesn't happen.

This is a brief summary of the reasons why service improvements for lines in West Yorkshire committed to in the Northern franchise agreement haven't happened:

https://westyorkshire.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s14419/Item 9 - Appendix 1.pdf

The following sentence is repeated time and time again: "No scheme yet identified or committed to address this." Not even IDENTIFIED! The DfT signed Northern's franchise agreement 4 years ago. How did they think this stuff was going to happen?

Smart timetabling, obviously, with digital railways on the blockchain running an agile workflow.