Issue - meetings

To receive an update on rail operational matters and updates from the operators and Network Rail.

Lead: Gary Bogan

6.1             Members received the report from the Director of the Rail North Partnership. Before inviting the operators to update the Committee he explained that at the last meeting operators were able to report on positive “bounce back”, however this has been affected by Covid-19, staffing and training issues and significant weather events.

 

6.2          Mr. Nick Donovan provided the Committee with an update on progress for Northern.  He explained that whilst there is a recovery there is continued suppressed demand on the network. He also highlighted the impact of financial restraints and the current industrial relations within the industry.  He emphasised the importance of the need for Northern to modernise behind the scenes.

 

Mr Donovan highlighted demand patterns which were 26% below pre-Covid  levels with commuter demand supressed to 38% demand recovery; however the recovery is strongest within the leisure market.

The Committee was also provided with an update on timetabling changes and driver training.

 

6.3          Mr. Matthew Golton updated the Committee on demand patterns for TPE.  He explained that customer demand is currently two thirds of where it was pre-pandemic and that pre bookings have increased as Covid restrictions have been lifted.  He highlighted that the leisure market is at or above pre Covid demand levels whilst the commuter market is below pre Covid market levels.

 

He explained that from June 2021 and through the Autumn, TPE had its best performance levels, but increased Covid cases and winter sickness amongst staff, industrial relations and poor weather made service delivery difficult during the winter months.   He highlighted the current training drive and new recruitment within TPE and updated Members on the current position with regards to the industrial relations, as well as timetable planning.  The Committee were also updated on fleet changes for the future.

 

6.4          Members raised issues relevant to their own Constituent Authorities.

 

6.5          Cllr Hale highlighted the importance of reliability and resilience on the network and explained that limited capacity will not encourage casual users to consider modal shift.   He enquired as to whether the timetable changes will be returning or whether Covid will impact on the plans.

 

Mr. Donovan stressed the importance to Northern of providing certainty on the delivery of the customer promise and ensuring that timetabled trains be delivered.  He further explained the need for them as operators to have confidence in the delivery of the timetable with an important factor being the resolution of the industrial relations issues.

 

Mr. Donovan explained that the reduction in Covid measures  had improved matters particularly in relation to driver training.

Regarding the relationship between suppressed demand and trains not running he explained that for Northern, routes have got the same frequency of service as pre- Covid and some of these have suppressed levels of demand on these routes.

Mr. Golton explained that they are beginning to make progress with driver training although there is a significant backlog.

6.6          Cllr Edwards questioned the decision-making process on which services to withdraw first when trains need to be cancelled on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6