The current SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) WofEL^▸ (Also used on the forum for "West of England Line") timetable and service provision are the result of agreement between SWR and the government for a robust service during lockdown. It was always the plan to revert to a more normal service once restrictions eased. It made sense to ally the changes back to a more normal service both with the usual May timetable change, and the government's Covid road map.

It is a shame though that the railway as a whole is no longer able to react to a major problem such as a fleet 'grounding' with quick action plans for alternative routes and stock. There's enough 158/159 stock in the west and south west to provide direct hourly services between Devon (even Cornwall at a push) and London via Salisbury. A little bit of ambitious thinking, some coordination between SWR & GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) (they have the same parent after all) and I'm sure something could have already been put into place for services between London and the south-west.

The problem is that operators don't work together well enough, and in many cases are directly prevented from doing so by government.

Raises the age old question again - what's the point of franchising?

Before VickiS has reads this and has a coronary, MARA stands for "Master Availability and Reliability Agreement", TARA stands for "Train Availability and Reliability Agreement" and TSP stands for "Train Service Provider"

Hope that clarifies things more than my Marsh Barton post did...although I must give them bonus points for the use of "consultation with the user population" under "progressive design assurance" - Outstanding!