Press releases - Rail, bus, coach and tram

Rail watchdog responds to Office of Rail Regulation findings on New Year disruption

28.02.2008

Passengers will welcome the action taken by the Office of Rail Regulation as it reflects the seriousness of disruptions caused over Christmas and the New Year.

The various action plans seek to minimise the chance of unplanned disruptions on this scale from happening again. Passenger Focus will closely watch progress over the next few months.

Anthony Smith, Passenger Focus chief executive commented: “Simply fining Network Rail potentially hits passengers twice. Passengers suffered the original disruption and then a large amount of investment cash will be lost to the rail industry which could mean poorer quality services in the future.”

Passenger Focus, following discussions with train companies, has suggested a menu of improvements, such as new, upgraded passenger information systems and station improvements.

Passenger Focus urges Network Rail to begin discussions such as these to mitigate any fine to ensure some tangible good will then come out of this episode for passengers.

Passenger Focus has also called on Network Rail to make certain engineering works on West Coast Main Line are completed on time instead of dragging out disruptions over to next year.

The national rail watchdog has acknowledged that to meet the Christmas deadline, there will be additional disruption on the line. However, the watchdog argued if works were planned and executed efficiently, this would be the best solution for passengers.

Mr Smith said as long as passengers were given advanced warning of disruptions, the impact on their travel could be minimised.

The planned works are necessary to meet timetable upgrades which will see additional high frequency services between London and regional centres.

“Additional disruptions on the West Coast Main Line are deeply regrettable, but it is the lesser of two evils if it guarantees works to be completed on time,” Mr Smith said.

Notes to editors

1. The Passenger Focus submission to the ORR is available to download below:
Submission to the Office of Rail Regulation on the investigation into Network Rail's New Year engineering overruns

2. Passenger Focus’ latest National Passenger Survey results are available from
http://www.passengerfocus.org.uk/nps

3. Passenger Focus is the official, independent consumer organisation representing the interests of rail users nationally. Created by the Railways Act 2005, Passenger Focus is the operating name of the Rail Passengers Council. It is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Transport. We want to make a difference for rail passengers. We do this by:
- providing authoritative advice for the industry based on sound research
- securing improvements to rail services – both big and small-scale improvements
- helping passengers with advice and information
- campaigning for change and acting on passenger complaints

4. Media enquiries regarding this release should be addressed to:
Krista Hamblin
Press officer
0870 336 6021/07918 626 045
krista.hamblin@passengerfocus.org.uk