STOP PRESS
Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps said he wants to avoid running “ghost trains”, and that it may be desirable to keep as many services running as possible - to help passengers follow guidelines on social distancing.
“We will work in partnership with the transport industry to keep essential services running for the public and for those who need to get to work - those who have essential businesses,” he said.
Shapps was asked by Stephen Doughty (Labour MP for Cardiff South and Penarth): “Does he accept that we’re going to have to potentially put some of those [transport companies] into national ownership, perhaps for a temporary period?”
He replied: “Good organisations shouldn’t be going bust. It will be hugely challenging and we will require a lot of different responses and mechanisms in order to get there, including (on occasions) organisations being run by the public sector.”
As this issue of RAIL went to press, it was widely expected that the Government would release train operators from their obligation to run entirely to published timetables, allowing a reduction in services in line with decreased demand and declining staff availability.
South Western Railway warned passengers of short-notice cancellations to services. It said this was because an increasing number of staff were at home unwell. It added that most services were much less busy than usual, so capacity was not an immediate concern.
Passenger numbers on London commuter routes were down by about one-third compared with the previous week. One train operator said revenue was down by a much larger amount. It said a majority of travellers were now season ticket holders, with very few passengers paying walk-on peak fares.
It’s thought that a major concern in the days ahead will be the supply of signallers to work in Rail Operating Centres. It’s thought this, rather than a shortage of drivers or station staff, will be more likely to halt services.
Most rail industry commentators believe the collapse in revenue means that franchises will be unable to continue beyond a few weeks without major changes to their contracts.
The Government regards rail as a “lifeline” service required to get essential workers such as hospital staff to their posts, especially in the capital. Although airports, airlines and ferry companies have all but ceased operating, and some bus companies have severely curtailed timetables, rail will be expected to continue as far as possible.