Office of Rail and Road begins investigation of train performance for …
Rail Regulator, The Office of Rail and Road has launched an investigation into Network Rail Wales & Western region's poor train punctuality and reliability, which has seen ongoing decline whilst other networks across the country see stability in performance.[1]
The Office of Rail and Road are aware that, in order to provide reliable and punctual trains, it requires a cross-industry focus and will seek to investigate the roundtable of parties who have a direct impact on delivering train performance for the region in question.
With the focus of the investigation on Network Rail[2], ORR's investigation will also look into train operators, freight operators and other rail-related bodies in order to discover the steps required to bring improved performance for passengers and freight for the Wales[3] and Western region.
Network Rail Wales & Western region Cardiff Central station // Credit: ORR
The investigation aims to find whether Network Rail is compliant with license obligations for the Wales & Western region and also to assess whether it is doing everything within reasonable power to provide train service performance.
The regulator will also undertake a review of the effectiveness of the region's Performance Improvement Plan, which will discover if assets are managed appropriately and the potential effects changes to the rail network could bring to performance.
Following the investigation's completion, the Office of Rail and Road will determine whether Network Rail could do more and whether any necessary measures should be introduced, which could include enforcement action.
Feras Alshaker, Director, Performance and Planning, said:
“While Network Rail has begun making good progress in stabilising performance elsewhere on the network, performance in the Wales & Western region has continued to deteriorate, meaning poor reliability and punctuality for passengers and freight.”
“Our investigation will take a detailed look at the root causes of the region's performance issues and will consider wider contributing factors. As part of our work, we will convene a roundtable with key players in the region to support Network Rail in taking pragmatic and effective action to improve performance for all the region's rail users.”
References
- ^ Network Rail Wales & Western region's poor train punctuality and reliability, which has seen ongoing decline whilst other networks across the country see stability in performance. (www.railadvent.co.uk)
- ^ Posts tagged with Network Rail (www.railadvent.co.uk)
- ^ Posts tagged with Wales (www.railadvent.co.uk)