"Passengers to benefit from Olympic boost to services"

[cjohnson]

Department press release here.

The changes, which are being introduced after a successful trial during the London 2012 Games, will mean that on special occasions train operators will be able to adjust a small portion of the timetable to better serve passengers without seeking permission from the government. [...] Train operators will be allowed to adjust up to 30% of their timetabled services for special occasions, ensuring that more frequent passengers are still able to enjoy regular services.

Seems like common sense may be prevailing...?

 

[SS4]

"Passengers may benefit from Olympic boost to services" seems like a more accurate headline to me. It's all well and good having DfT authorisation but the TOC still has to decide if running the extra services are viable and, in the case of late night/weekend trains, engineering work.

I'm tentatively pleased but won't be holding my breath about getting better services any time soon

 

[maniacmartin]

It has the potential to be quite confusing to passengers, and 30% is not "a small proportion" to me!

I had this problem during the Olympics when Cambridge services were changed to depart from Stratford not Liverpool St. People who are used to certain train times and services can get annoyed or confused when suddenly their train is not running due to a timetable alteration. I hope all changes will be finalised at least 12 weeks before they happen, so that advance reservations are not affected.

This development could be good, but it needs careful monitoring to make sure it doesn't turn into an excuse for TOCs to change trains on a whim to suit their own needs.

 

[87015]

I don't understand how this makes any difference? Events are dealt with under STP arrangements and you don't need DfT permission for that, I doubt they even know what happens let alone care.

 

[tbtc]

Given how inflexible things are (engineering works, getting staff to agree to anti-social hours etc) and how unprofitable some services are, I can't see this encouraging a huge boost in services, but it's welcome nonetheless

 

[EM2]

And how is this going to work around pathing etc.?

 

[Simon11]

What a load of rubbish!

Tocs always add extra services or lengthen services where possible for special events. I fail to understand where this boost is therefore comming from.....

 

[colchesterken]

needed an olympic games enema last night 5 hrs from stratford to CR started stratford 1730 arrived 0008. they had a one under at seven kings and the service dis interigated
no one in charge. took 1 hr 30 min shenfield to CR .no taxis or busses at CR told to walk home to the town station. I "e" mailed them today and said I expected better planning for emergencies from the Dutch...waiting for excuses

 

[hick]

What a load of rubbish!

Tocs always add extra services or lengthen services where possible for special events. I fail to understand where this boost is therefore comming from.....

The key sentence here is: without seeking permission from the government

Currently big changes need official letter from dft for each event granting permission especially if changes affect the PSR (maximum journey times, frequency, etc).