Passengers let down
Rail passengers are being “let down” as industry confirms timetable information will not be provided 12 weeks ahead of travel.
PASSENGER watchdog Transport Focus says rail passengers are being “let down”, after the railway confirmed that it will not be able to provide complete timetables 12 weeks ahead of travel from the May 20 timetable change for around six months.
As this issue of RAIL went to press, only c2c, Caledonian Sleeper and Chiltern were able to confirm journey details for the week May 19-25. Southeastern said it cannot confirm timetables for May 19/20, but can for travel between May 21 and May 25. All other operators expected timetables to be available from April 7.
The announcement was made on February 23, with the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) blaming “unexpected alterations to infrastructure projects, the instruction of new trains and new services by some operators”. Delays to the Manchester-Preston electrification schemes were also blamed.
The May timetable change this year is set to be one of the biggest ever, with almost four million trains retimed - 600% more than usual. A temporary six-week target to get the timetables right will apply instead - although in some cases this could be four weeks or less.
Transport Focus highlighted failures to meet the target (known in the industry as T-12) before Christmas. It said passengers might not know whether their journeys will be affected by engineering works until six weeks before they travel, including whether they will be on a replacement bus service or need to use a different station from normal. It added that some Advance tickets could go on sale later than usual.
TF Chief Executive Anthony Smith said: “Passengers have been badly let down, and will be deeply frustrated that they can’t make plans with certainty. They are also at risk of paying more, so we will monitor the effectiveness of the
industry’s no-quibble commitment.
“Network Rail and train companies need to do everything possible to minimise the uncertainty and make sure passengers aren’t out of pocket. The timetable must be accurate against the temporary six-week target.
“The rail industry must demonstrate that it has a clear plan to get things back on track and avoid this happening again. Industry regulator the Office of Rail and Road should carry out a formal investigation.”
Network Rail spokesman Dan Donovan told RAIL the main project causing problems is the Manchester to Preston electrification scheme, and that timetable planning teams have been “unable to deliver the new timetable within the usual timescales”.
NR Managing Director System Operator Jo Kaye said the decision had not been taken lightly, and that the timetable planning resource “is at more than full capacity”. She apologised on behalf of NR.
The RDG said 98% of passengers will be unaffected as they use season tickets, walk on tickets, or book less than six weeks ahead of travel. For those passengers who book ahead on trains affected and then find cheaper advance tickets on sale, the RDG advised they should book the advance fare and then request a fee-free refund on their original ticket.