VHF proves big success for Virgin in 2009

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From Rail.News.com:

Since Virgin launched their Virgin High Frequency (VHF) service a year ago, resulting in a 30% step-up in train frequency and faster journey times, the TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) has carried 25.4 million passengers. This is the best ever annual passenger figure since VT^▸ (Virgin Trains - former franchises) was awarded the West Coast Main Line franchise.

In total passenger numbers have increased by 15% and the popularity of rail travel over air is evident in the fact that rail now accounts for over 80% of the market share on the London to Manchester route and the TOC^s share has doubled to 17% on the London to Glasgow route.

Tony Collins, VT^s CEO^▸ (Chief Executive Officer), said ^ After a year of operation it is clear that VHF works. The intensive use of the network and of our trains is vital if the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) is to gain maximum benefit for the investment in the West Coast.^

[Btline]

Let's hope that 2 tph to Liverpool, and plugging of Glasgow gaps can happen soon with the new Pendo units (when are they arriving by the way? How long does it take to knock a few out?)

[paul7575]

It's complicated.  July 2011 for completion of the first new train - but it is NOT planned to enter service within Virgin's current franchise.  Reason being once it arrives in 9 car formation (in Nov 2010) only then will it be extended to 11 car.  The first additional trains in revenue service are planned to be April 2012 - with four being in use by Nov 2012.  However, reading between the lines in the spec 'new trains' will replace existing trains that are being lengthened, so the increase in services won't be immediate.  Whatever happens, there is still work to start extending platforms for 11 car use here and there, so it is unlikely to happen any faster...

Why is it felt so important to provide Liverpool with a 2 hourly service though?  Because it's there perhaps? 
Maybe if there was any serious demand they'd already be running there - they get 2 tph in the peaks already I think?

Paul

[JayMac]

Is it not more a case of service provision stimulating demand? The VHF appears to have proved this. If Liverpool gets its 2tph (hopefully with additional Trent Valley stops) then I think the old adage "if you build it, they will come" applies.

[IndustryInsider]

Just to expand a little on Paul's post - here's the full timeline:

a) 1st New 9-Car: November 2010
b) 1st Extended New Train (i.e. integration of 1st New 9-Car with 2 x New Train Additional Cars): July 2011
c) 2nd Extended New Train: January 2012
d) 3rd Extended New Train: July 2012
e) 4th Extended New Train: November 2012
f) 4 x Extended New Trains enter revenue service at franchise change (unless introduced into service within WCTL^s franchise) or in line with the dates specified above, whichever occurs first: April 2012 to November 2012
g) 1st Extended Existing Train and enter into revenue service (i.e. integration of Existing Train with 2 x new Existing Train Additional Cars): April 2012
h) 2nd to 31st Extended Existing Trains and enter into revenue service: April 2012 to December 2012

[paul7575]

Makes you wonder if anyone in the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) actually wants 'beardy' to carry on doesn't it...

Paul

[eightf48544]

The other problem with the Pendos is the number of on board computers all of which have to talk to each other, thus it takes a week (2 weeks to add 2?) to add a coach to get it set up and get everything working together.

Not like 2 minutes to add a coach to a loco hauled set.

[Btline]

VHF was going to have 2 tph to Liverpool, but the Lake District crash writing off a Pendo scuppered these plans.

Re: " they get 2 tph in the peaks" - Virgin seem to be able to magic lots of Pendos up in the peaks, with additional fast trains to Glasgow in the evening, and the extra fast train from the West Mids in the morning!

Hopefully the second Liverpool service will call at Nuneaton and Tamworth (alternating).