TfW Rail Limited Board Minutes - 16 September 2022

16 September 2022

09:00 - 13:00

Venue: St Patricks House

Peter Strachan (Chair), Heather Clash, Jan Chaudhry, Alexia Course and Marie Daly.

In attendance: Jeremy Morgan.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

James Price

A quorum being present, the Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and declared the meeting open.

None declared.

The Board discussed issues around the use of social media and customers publishing safety events. It was noted that ORR monitor such items and will take action if necessary.

The Board discussed on-board announcements in relation to industry and TfW aspirations. Challenges remain around the length of announcements given Welsh language requirements and the significant number that are mandatory.

The Board were noted the high number [six] of SPADs during period 5. The incidents have been reviewed and analysed for common factors, but none have emerged. A proposal was received from RSSB to analyse recent SPADs, and the effectiveness of control measures including human factors that lead to error. This proposal has been accepted and work will commence in September.

Performance in the period was mixed with CVL narrowly missing the PTL target, and Wales and Cross-Borders some way short. The period was characterised by several RMT and ASLEF strikes affecting Network Rail and other TOCs. An enhanced service between Shrewsbury and Birmingham was successfully delivered on 30 July to serve the first Saturday of the Commonwealth Games when there were no West Midlands services on the corridor because of the ASLEF strike.

There were several significant infrastructure incidents resulting from the extreme hot weather with the Class 769s showing particular vulnerability with several engines derating (as designed) to keep them cool. This led to the implementation on several days of the Class 769 contingency plan on the Rhymney line.

The Board were informed that the joint new approach to train performance management with Network Rail and AIW is continuing to achieve momentum. Budgets have now been agreed with each principal function for the year, along with each period and each day. These are being reported via daily performance bulletins.

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Noted.

The risk report was noted.

David O’Leary joined the meeting.

Passenger revenue, journeys and km all remained below budget in period 5. The primary driver of this result was the operational impact of industrial action undertaken by Network Rail and neighbouring TOC staff within the period, with a circa -£0.95m variance to budget created as a result. Underlying performance fell away from budget during the period with a weakening economy and the rising cost-of-living crisis driving an estimated -£0.45m variance to budget.

Phase 1.1 of the revenue management strategy which focussed on the Cardiff-Manchester route, will be implemented in period 6. This will take the learnings from phase 1.0 (which launched in period 4) and seek to grow the incremental revenue benefit of £100k per week delivered so far. Phase 2.0 changes will then be implemented in period 7, impacting North Wales & Borders routes. Future phases of the strategy will see the roll-out of this approach to all reservable TfW services across the network.

Gateline coverage remains behind target for the period and year-to-date. A cross-functional task and finish group has been setup from September to identify options to drive further/faster improvement to increase Gateline hours to an initial target of 70% in 22/23 (and 75% in 23/24) versus operational hours. The Board challenged whether targets will be reached but were assured that the working group is robust in its objectives and pushing in right direction. 
The Board also noted KPls on passenger journeys; refunded journeys; on-train scans; and revenue at risk.

The Board discussed the uncertainty over potential fare changes for 2023.

Stephanie Raymond joined the meeting.

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The Board were informed that the line of route analysis is near completion and will be tabled at the next meeting.

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The Board were informed that the line of route analysis is near completion and will be tabled at the next meeting.

Although the Board noted and appreciated the paper, it was agreed to provide feedback on its structure and content to inform future similar papers to provide the Board with more clarity in future timetable approval processes [Action Marie Daly].

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The Chair thanked all who attended for their contributions.