How did the rail industry do in 2019?

[whole diary]

[grahame]

In promoting a bigger and better railway, Railfuture issued a 10 point challenge to the rail industry and government for 2019 to rebuild public trust in its service delivery.   Their report and analysis is at ((here)) on their website.

Railfuture’s 10 challenges for the rail industry and government for 2019:

1. Customer service – put rail users first, be proactive and responsive, keep promises and show you care.

2. Industrial relations – the need to find solutions. Our challenge – Sort it!

3. Punctuality. Our challenge - Focus on operation

4. Seven day railway with no cancellations.

5. Fares and ticketing. Our challenge - a commitment from government to move from RPI^▸ (Revenue Protection Inspector (or Retail Price Index, depending on the context)) to CPI on regulated fares in January 2020.

6. Information. Our challenge - GPS must be an all industry initiative focused on passengers.

7. Resilience. Our challenge - Focus investment on maximising resilience.

8. Programme Management. Our challenge - Every programme must have an intelligent client and the necessary calibre of leadership with the authority and information to manage risk effectively.

9. Government working with devolved government. Our challenge - Accelerate the transfer of powers to devolved bodies.

10. The Williams Rail Review. Our challenge - Make tactical improvements in 2019 and sharpen performance incentives to focus on performance delivery.

Each element analysed on the RailFuture page, and scored out of 10 - scores range from 0 (described as "abject failure" to 8.

Overall verdict: Much more for the railways to do to change the culture and focus on performance, and decision time for the government. Non weighted overall score 3.5 out of 10.

[Timmer]

Non weighted overall score 3.5 out of 10

Yup I think that score about sums up the Rail industry quite nicely, though some would think that may be too generous.

Sadly most management in the Rail industry are quite deluded, and quite arrogantly so at that, into thing they are actually doing a good job and that came through loud and clear in the various TV reports I watched yesterday. As long as that mentality continues then there’s not much hope for real improvement.

I’m pinning my hopes on the Williams Rail Review and that the government will actually implement it in full. One can dream.

[ellendune]

I’m pinning my hopes on the Williams Rail Review and that the government will actually implement it in full. One can dream.

You assume that the Williams review actually comes up with something sensible

[Timmer]

You assume that the Williams review actually comes up with something sensible

Could it be any worse than the pseudo privatised rail network we have now?

[ellendune]

You assume that the Williams review actually comes up with something sensible

Could it be any worse than the pseudo privatised rail network we have now?

Yes
Remember Railtrack who shut much of the network down for weeks following Hatfield?
What if Williams recommended ending walk-on fares?

[grahame]

You assume that the Williams review actually comes up with something sensible

Could it be any worse than the pseudo privatised rail network we have now?

Yes
Remember Railtrack who shut much of the network down for weeks following Hatfield?
What if Williams recommended ending walk-on fares?

I can think of far worse ideas ... but not documenting them in case some t**t takes them up. 

[Timmer]

Yes
Remember Railtrack who shut much of the network down for weeks following Hatfield?
What if Williams recommended ending walk-on fares?

I very much doubt either will be recommended.

You appear to have very little confidence in Keith Williams ability to come up with solutions that are going to solve the issues currently being faced in the rail industry ellendune?

[ellendune]

Yes
Remember Railtrack who shut much of the network down for weeks following Hatfield?
What if Williams recommended ending walk-on fares?

I very much doubt either will be recommended.

You appear to have very little confidence in Keith Williams ability to come up with solutions that are going to solve the issues currently being faced in the rail industry ellendune?

I was asked

Could it be any worse than the pseudo privatised rail network we have now?

My answer was yes.

He was formerly chief executive of BA^» (British Airways - about) and their performance during his time there does not exactly inspire confidence. My point about walk-on fares was made because of his airline background.

Having said that I know very little of the man himself so I cannot have confidence in him (but equally I am not confident that he will produce rubbish either).