Transport providers promise olympian effort for Games


ORR and Which? flag up performance peeves


by Pippa Vine


Rail passenger complaints mainly focus on train performance, according to ORR statistics. Updated rail complaints data,


TfL and train operators serving London have attended mayor Boris Johnson’s third rail summit, confirming their plans to ensure the capital is kept moving and open for business during the 2012 Olympic Games. The enormity of the


transport situation was highlighted when it was predicted that 25,000 passengers an hour will travel on Javelin services between St Pancras International and Stratford International. Tube services are expected to run for an extra 60 minutes every night of the Games. Johnson insisted: ‘Transport


is a vital element and the required upgrades have been completed, lines extended and plans put in place for extra services. We are not complacent.’ In another bid to keep the


capital running, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport has launched Travel Plan Together, designed to help organisations plan for the travel needs of their personnel, together with inward delivery and external distribution systems. Chief executive Steve Agg


said: ‘The introduction of Travel Plan Together is very timely, coming as it does in Olympic year.’ TfL’s director of games,


Mark Evers, has addressed an all-party meeting at parliament, including a rail group and passenger transport group, highlighting plans. Theatres and museums are offering deals to commuters so they can avoid the


congestion on their way home. PAGE 8 APRIL 2012


published on the ORR data portal, highlights that, between 1 October 2011 and 31 December 2011, rail passengers’ complaints concentrated on train performance (38 per cent), followed by quality of facilities onboard the train, (16 per cent), and fares (15 per cent).


Meanwhile, a survey by


Which? reports some passengers experiencing overcrowded trains, erratic punctuality and poor value for money. In it’s first ever satisfaction


survey of train operating company customers, the consumer magazine says some respondents are satisfied with their rail journeys, so not all Tocs are getting it wrong. However, in 37 per cent of


the 5,542 journeys reported on for Which?, all seats were taken in the respondent’s carriage. The 4,092 adults surveyed rated Virgin Trains as the best train company, particularly for its long-distance Pendolinos, followed by C2C and


C2C came out as the top commuter Toc in the Which? survey


Budget funding will improve line speeds n


The chancellor promised £130m of funding towards


the Northern Hub in the March budget.


The cash will pay for upgrades to increase capacity and line speed on the Sheffield to Manchester line. Line speeds will also be increased on the Manchester to Bradford via Rochdate and Halifax, and Manchester to Preston via Bolton lines. Network Rail chief executive


David Higgins said: ‘Further funding for the initial stages of the Northern Hub is a welcome show of confidence in rail bringing benefits to passengers, as well


as driving economic growth. To realise the project’s total value of £4bn to the northern economy and create between 20,000 and 30,000 new jobs, the final stages of funding will need to be supported in the rail budgets to be announced later this year. ‘When completed, this project


will be a clear demonstration of how investment in smart infrastructure can unlock economic potential by connecting commerce and communities across cities such as Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, Leeds and Newcastle with 700 new train services each day.’


NI Railways launches campaign to tackle suicides


n


Translink NI Railways and the Samaritans have joined forces with a campaign to help prevent suicides on Northern Ireland’s railways. We’re In Your Corner promotes


the Samaritan’s helpline, as well as providing support for Translink employees who might find themselves dealing with someone in distress.


Speaking at the campaign launch


in Belfast Central Station, Translink Group chief executive Catherine Mason said: ‘Suicide prevention and post-incident care are extremely sensitive issues that we want to address in the most effective and responsible ways possible.


‘Samaritans provide confidential emotional support services 24/7.’


Merseyrail, East Coast and East Midlands Trains. While London Overground


was judged the most improved commuter company – 45 per cent said it was better, 21 per cent said worse – Southeastern came bottom of the table, its customers citing ‘overcrowding and high fares, with perceived cuts to services’. But some Southeastern passengers praised new high speed trains, and while 34 per cent reckoned the overall service had got


worse, 23 per cent said it was better. Southeastern cited a passenger survey carried out by rail customer watchdog Passenger Focus showing 83 per cent of its passengers were satisfied with the service. On commuter services alone,


C2C came top, with London Overground second – many saying Lorol’s new trains were ‘lovely’ – and Chiltern Railways was top regional service company, with one very satisfied passenger declaring: ‘I love Chiltern Railways’.


Shutterstock/dutourdumonde


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