‘one’ railway (part of the National Express Group), in partnership with Network Rail is launching a programme of actions aimed at further improving train punctuality across the ‘one’ network. Since the start of the ‘one’ franchise punctuality has improved from 84.96% to 87.47% (an increase of 2.5%), but this initiative reflects a desire to raise standards further towards 90%.

The Programme, called the ‘Joint Performance Improvement Plan’ features a number of detailed actions to further improve the punctuality and reliability of train services, working towards the aim of consistently achieving train service punctuality levels at over 90%. Many routes on the ‘one network regularly achieve these standards, but this project is intended to deliver these higher levels of service consistently across the region, and reduce the number of major incidents that cause disruption and inconvenience to passengers.

Specifically within ‘one’ the train operator is implementing a number of initiatives as part of the plan including,

*Ensuring that train doors are closed at London Liverpool Street 30 seconds before the advertised time to ensure that trains depart on time and without delay

*Despatch of trains from maintenance depots will be improved to achieve more ‘right-time’ starts and technical support boosted at ground level to rectify minor faults more quickly, thereby avoiding ‘knock-on’ delays

*Engineering work schedules will be revised to build in more recovery time when problems occur to avoid overruns when infrastructure work is taking place

*Modifications to doors and traction motor equipment on Class 317 trains operating on the West Anglia route will be completed to further improve reliability

*Upgrades already underway to the train power supply system on Class 90 locomotives will also be completed to maintain the improvement in performance on mainline Norwich to London services

As part of the plan, Network Rail will,

*Renew over 40 miles of track across the ‘one’ network by April 2008 improving punctuality and ride quality

*Undertake fortnightly monitoring of the overhead power supply on the London to Norwich line from March 2007 and carry out wider checks on other routes on a planned basis

*Install special monitoring equipment to pre-warn of cable failures, thereby reducing delays caused by signal failures

*Install a new public address system at London Liverpool Street station to help provide clearer information 

An information leaflet – available at stations - for customers has been jointly produced by ‘one’ and Network Rail to explain the actions and commitments included in the Joint Performance Improvement Plan.

Andrew Chivers, managing director ‘one’ railway said, “The actions and investment in the improvement plan will help to raise punctuality and reliability standards still further, providing passengers with the better levels of performance they rightly expect.”   

Patrick Hallgate, Network Rail Route Director said, “We have made progress at improving services for passengers but there is much more we need to do. The plan lays out the road we will follow to deliver a more punctual and reliable train service in the months and years ahead.”