Proposal to reduce the timetable 'horizon' to 8 weeks

[crablab]

Proposals to modify timetable publication in Network Rail’s licence | Office of Rail and Road

Initial consultation on proposals to modify Network Rail’s network licence requirement on timetable publication.

www.orr.gov.uk

 Proposals to modify timetable publication in Network Rail’s licence

Initial consultation on industry proposals to modify Network Rail’s network licence requirement to publish a timetable 12 weeks in advance of services running.
This public consultation is on proposed changes to Condition 7.18 of Network Rail’s network licence. This condition requires Network Rail to provide train operators with timetable information 12 weeks in advance of trains running following a timetable change. Specifically, we are proposing to remove the explicit reference to the 12 weeks and replace it with the requirement for Network Rail to follow the timescales in the Network Code. In parallel, Network Rail’s timetabling reform programme, Better Timetables for Passengers and Freight (BTPF), has agreed to formalise different timelines in the Network Code for the publication of train timetables. This Network Code proposal would introduce eight weeks (instead of 12) as the deadline for Network Rail’s publication of a timetable in advance of trains running.This would mean that train operators would only be able to inform passengers of confirmed train times at this eight-week milestone, thereby introducing a new ‘Informed Traveller’ deadline at T-8. The Network Code proposal would still require ORR approval.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Pros: data and information supplied over a shorter time scale should lead to less last-minute alterations and therefore disruption to passengers and generally be more reliable

Cons: the cost of travel may well go up for everyone as they will be less time for advanced tickets to be made available and retailed and therefore possibly less of them available and definitely will result in more people paying higher prices for their travel
Longer distance travellers may well choose to fly as their schedules and cheaper prices are available much further in advance, ditto coaches

 

[The Planner]

Being talked about here

ORR opens consultation on changing when timetable information is confirmed

https://www.orr.gov.uk/search-consultations/proposals-modify-timetable-publication-network-rails-licence (Edited) The ORR is running a consultation whether to ratify a change to the Network Code which would mean the deadline for confirming the timetable will become 8 weeks before travel instead...

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