1. TravelWatch SouthWest Workshop Taunton, 22nd July, 2018
Connecting Britain’s Cities Cross Country Franchise Consultation, 2018 Christopher Irwin, Director, TravelWatch SouthWest CIC
TravelWatch SouthWest Workshop
Taunton, 22nd July, 2018

2. TWSW collected franchise aspirations, 2015-17
Our starting points
TWSW collected franchise aspirations,
Connecting the Dots published October 2017
The challenges
Our vision
Outcomes sought
Enabling delivery

3. The challenges
XC’s dual function:
Inter-regional connectivity
Plugging gaps in intra-regional service provision
Leading to uncompetitive journey times and longer-distance journeys blighted by local over-crowding (e.g. Exeter-Bristol and Birmingham-York) and ‘churn’
TWSW identified scope for coordinated approach to future service provision

4. Unfreezing history Great Western New franchise starts: April 2020
Last franchise contest 2005/6
Direct awards in 2013 and 2015
Premium to HMG: 1.5p per passenger kilometre in 2015/6
New franchise starts:
April 2020
CrossCountry
Last franchise contest 2007
Direct award in 2016
Premium to HMG: 2.2p per passenger kilometre in 2015/6
New franchise starts:
December 2019<>October2020

5. XC specification should reflect changed demand
The challenges
XC’s dual function:
TWSW identified scope for coordinated approach to future service provision
Big growth in travel demand to neighbouring regions; slump in travel demand to more distant destinations
XC specification should reflect changed demand

6. Passenger growth to/from SW

7. Rail out-performed by low cost airlines (There are 20 air passengers between the SW & Scotland to every 1 by rail)

8. Medium-distance boom, longer-distance slump:
The challenges
XC’s dual function:
TWSW identified scope for coordinated approach to future service provision
Medium-distance boom, longer-distance slump:
XC specification should reflect changed demand
Big changes in railway geography imminent:
Deriving benefit from HS2
Impact of Old Oak Common super-hub on flows
Significant ECML frequency enhancements N of York
New regional governance for rail (e.g. WMR, TfN)
Opportunity to serve old markets better and additional markets anew

9. The vision
“XC should, as far as possible, be a fast InterCity service, adapting to the changing demand s of inter-regional (non-London) passenger flows”
InterCity services should not be local service auxiliaries to the disadvantage of inter-regional connectivity, service quality and journey times
The next generation of XC rolling stock must be equipped to run over both the ‘classic’ network and HS2 and its further extensions

10. The outcomes sought
Increased frequencies on those parts of the InterCity network avoiding London where potential demand is greatest for long-distance, end-to-end journey opportunities
An additional offering with significantly improved journey times between principal hubs on Bristol-Birmingham-York trunk
Improved connectivity with other franchisees at hubs through improved timetabling and platform arrangements
Rolling-stock designed around passenger needs: including assured seating, suited to longer-distance travel, with generous space for luggage storage in line of sight and work-enabling facilities

11. Enabling delivery - 1 Service aspirations:
TWSW consolidated SW stakeholders’ service aspirations. Those for XC included hourly services calling principally:
PLY-EXD-BRI-BPY-CNM-BHM-DBY-SHF-LDS-YRK with certain services extended to/from PNZ, NQY (summer), EDB and ABD.
BRI-BPY-BHM-SOT-MCR
PGN/EXD-TIV-TAU-BWT-BRI-BPY-CNM-WPY-BHM-WVH-STA-SOT-MAC-SPT-MCR
BRI-BPY-CNM-WPY-BHM-TAM-DBY-CHD-SHF-WKF-LDS-YRK
CDF-NWP-LYD-GCR-CNM-ASC-WPY-UNI-BHM-TAM-BUT-DBY-LGE-BEE-NOT
SWI-GCR-CNM-WPY-UNI-BHM
n.b.: BMH-SOU-RDG-BHM not discussed

12. 7-day railway to reflect changing societal demands
Enabling delivery - 2
Service quality:
7-day railway to reflect changing societal demands
Emphasis on performance and reliability (including need for route knowledge of suitable diversionary routes)
Demand for better coordinated timetable planning between operators, particular on common route sections and at major hubs
XC’s APOD is an irritant, putting-off infrequent passengers
Criticism of franchise-specific tickets on common route sections

13. Enabling delivery - 3
Rolling stock:
Increased capacity, with seating suited to long-distance travel (space, cushioning), leisure market (window/seat alignment, tables, proximity and sufficiency of baggage storage), business market (tables, electronic connectivity)
Stock should be equipped to run on both ‘classic’ routes and HS2 and extensions and ‘weather-proofed’ for Dawlish sea-wall running.

14. Other specifications:
Enabling delivery - 4
Other specifications:
West Midlands Rail, Transport for the North et al should be required to address any local service provision issues arising from XC being refocussed on InterCity service provision
In the SW, GWR should be required to develop integrated timetabling with XC, notably on common route sections.

15. Some of the SW’s over-arching objectives
Support sustainable growth
Match capacity to growing demand
Achieve step-change in satisfaction: design services around users’ needs
Work in partnership with range of stakeholders
Deliver a service that is viable, bearable and equitable

16.
Thank you!