Core Programme Better Rail Services - Corporate Plan 2007 - About Us - Translink
New Rail Service l Future Developments l Enterprise Service l Key Issues
NEW RAIL SERVICE
Translink is committed to delivering a rail service which is recognised as the best in the UK and Ireland with continuing growth in passenger numbers.
New Rail Service
As well as introducing new rolling stock, during 2006/07 all aspects of the service provided have been enhanced within a fresh brand positioning , including timetable development, passenger information, advertising, customer service delivery and station improvements.
NI Railways Passenger Numbers (local)
2002/03
5.379m
2003/04
5.852m
2004/05
6.601m
2005/06
6.893m
2006/07 est
8.530m
C3K trains
By September 2005 23 new C3K trains were in regular passenger service. For passengers, this means travel on state of the art trains that meet the highest standards in terms of safety, accessibility and journey comfort.
A new purpose built Train Care Centre was opened in October 2005 at Fortwilliam. Now in operation 24 hours a day, the innovative train cleaning and stabling facility ensures that the C3K fleet is kept in optimum condition for passengers.
Customer service
The company placed customer service at the heart of its plans to deliver a new improved rail service. Internally, a new “corporate culture” was promoted; all railway staff attended one or more innovative customer care training programmes.
Passenger satisfaction has risen as a result in terms of staff performance. New staff uniforms were also issued, reinforcing the professionalism of staff.
Larne line
A nine-month £25.2 million engineering project to re-lay
the track between Belfast (Bleach Green) and Whitehead
and upgrade signalling equipment was completed in January 2006. Upon completion of the Larne line relay, a further new timetable commenced on 13 February 2006 reintroducing full Larne line services.
Timetable development
Timetable changes introduced in June 2005 were developed around the concept of a central corridor between Portadown and Bangor. Operating on a simple ‘clock-face’ basis as far as possible, the new timetable meant faster and more frequent services for customers.
However, in February 2006 a shortage of train drivers lead to some reduction in service frequency on the Portadown and Bangor lines. Despite this, current service frequency and capacity are still significantly better than pre June 2005 and the numbers of passengers using the railways continues to grow.
Passenger facilities
As part of the “New Rail Service” project, a programme of infrastructure work is ongoing at stations and halts across the network and will continue over the next year.
This includes new shelters, signage, improved lighting, additional seating, bins, improvements to disabled access, including re-grading of ramps and provision of lifts.
This programme will be completed during the next 2 years as well as improvements to ensure all passenger facilities are fully DDA compliant.
Passenger numbers
This programme of change and improvement, fresh branding along with a continuing innovative and high profile advertising, communications and promotional campaigns have delivered increases in passenger numbers of 34% over the period 2002-2006 against a target in the RTS of 60% for 2002 – 2012, as well as sustained improvements in passenger satisfaction.
New Rail Service l Future Developments l Enterprise Service l Key Issues
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
The programme to deliver further growth in passenger numbers through the ‘new rail service’ will continue. Additionally, plans are being developed for further modernisation and expansion of the network. These will be subject to economic appraisal, Government approval and funding.
Performance and Growth (2006 -10)
Translink’s immediate objective is to continue to attract more passengers by optimising current investments; consolidating the current performance, timetables & service plan and to implement frequency improvements for Ballymena, Antrim and the Larne line.
Reliability modifications are being delivered to the older class 450 trains, driver recruitment and training is being fast tracked and sustained enhanced performance will be delivered from the new C3K trains.
Future size of railway network
Government, through the “Future Options for Rail Services Steering Group” (on which NITHC / Translink is represented) is currently reviewing the long term future of the so-called ‘lesser-used lines’ (i.e. Ballymena to Londonderry; and Whitehead to Larne). The result of the review will determine the submission to the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007.
The review follows the ‘Strategic Railway Review’ by Booz Allen Hamilton commissioned by Translink in 2004 which concluded the ‘lesser used lines’ were economically viable as part of the total existing network. It also emphasised that the major assets of the railway (track, trains, etc.) should be maintained and renewed on a regular ‘life-cycle’ basis, to avoid the problems of ‘stop-go’ investment patterns. This is the basis of Translink’s current capital investment programme and asset / project management approach.
Ultimately it is for Government to determine what size of railway is to be operated, and for Translink to manage that network in the most efficient and effective way.
New Trains 2010 Project
A “New Trains 2010” project is underway to produce proposals for railway capacity from 2010, consistent with the RTS. This project is included with the work of the “Future Options for Rail Services Steering Group”.
Options under consideration include the like for like replacement of class 450 trains 2010-2012, the possibility of increases in fleet size to deliver capacity and frequency improvements across the network and associated infrastructure works required to facilitate increased capacity.
The business case is predicated on the successes delivered by the current operations of the C3K rolling stock
Beyond RTS
The future of the railway needs to be considered over a longer 20-30 year timeframe, reflecting the payback period for railway assets; also taking into account longer term economic, competitive and environmental issues facing Northern Ireland.
This would provide an opportunity to ensure future plans are consistent with developments envisaged in the railway system of the Republic of Ireland, including north-south links, and to investigate the merits of reopening branch lines or constructing new lines in order to improve access to rail-based transport throughout the island.
New Rail Service l Future Developments l Enterprise Service l Key Issues
ENTERPRISE SERVICE
Enterprise Passenger Numbers
2003/04
1.025m
2004/05
0.836m
2005/06
0.819m
2006/07 est
0.836m
Performance on this Belfast – Dublin service has been problematic over the past 2 years, since a major civil engineering programme by Iarnrod Eireann in 2004 curtailed services and impacted passenger numbers.
Although operational performance is good (exceeding charter targets) passenger numbers have been slow to recover. This may be attributed to:-
- Highway upgrades reducing car journey times.
- Rising cost of Dublin as a leisure destination, at the same time an increase in low cost flights/destinations from Belfast.
- Aggressive competition from coaches
This decline is being addressed through on line yield management programmes, aggressive marketing and upgrading the on board (catering) offering.
In the longer term Translink is working on an outline ‘vision 2020’ with Irish Rail for a high speed rail service to Dublin with departures every hour and a 90 minute non stop journey time.
A preliminary report commissioned by Translink in early 2006 confirmed that a high speed, high frequency service could be economically viable. In March 2006 a strategy was agreed with Irish Rail for consideration of interim service enhancements in the short / medium term, including additional departures.
New Rail Service l Future Developments l Enterprise Service l Key Issues
KEY ISSUES
New Trains 2010
This plan assumes that funding will be available to fully deliver the RTS. This includes not only replacement of the 9 Class 450 trains but also expansion of the fleet. The supporting business case for further investment in new rolling stock is already being clearly demonstrated by the C3K fleet currently in service.
A decision not to replace the Class 450 trains or expand the fleet would significantly curtail future business growth and lead to a deterioration of services on all lines.
Future size of the Network
A decision by Government to cease operations on the “lesser used” rail sections north of Ballymena and Whitehead would have a significant negative impact to the north west of Northern Ireland and in east Antrim.
Road congestion would worsen in these areas and on the trunk roads to Belfast and a significant growth opportunity and potential economic, social and environmental benefit would be foregone.
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