13.09.05
Improvements in advance timetable information
Advanced timetable and advance seat booking facilities are improving, according to new figures announced by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) last month.
Improvements have been made since Network Rail received a warning from ORR last year, when it became apparent that insufficient notice for engineering works was preventing TOCs from being able to provide accurate timetables to the travelling public! This is turn meant that passengers were missing out on many of the discounts available for early bookings. Under the terms of its licence, Network Rail is required to provide notice of engineering works in normal circumstances at least 12 weeks in advance. ORR has since been monitoring Network Rail and making sure that train operators are passing on the information to passengers and making advance seat reservations available.
Figures released by the ORR show that Network Rail has made good progress. In a statement the ORR said that Network Rail, “Now has firm managerial control of its planning of engineering work and is able to provide train operators with the necessary advance notice of disruption to their services. Network Rail has also improved its processes for producing an accurate timetable in the light of this, reflecting the needs of the train operators. At the same time ATOC has confirmed the four major inter-city train operators are now able to provide advance bookings at least nine weeks in advance.
Despite the improvements already made, the ORR has said it will continue to monitor both Network Rail and the TOCs to ensure that improvements are maintained, particularly over holiday periods.
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]