VIRGIN TRAINS has told Network Rail that it must improve performance on the West Coast Main Line, after another period of lack-lustre punctuality on the route. Talks are underway between the two parties, but now Virgin has taken the unusual step of making its grievances public.
The operator said that 'infrastructure performance of the West Coast Main Line continues to be unacceptable, and this is having a major impact on Virgin Trains' customers and those of other operators, who have seen punctuality fall well below expected levels'.
The ORR has recently told Network Rail that it must improve the performance of long distance trains, but Virgin said although the ORR's move was welcome, it did 'not deal adequately with the immediate issues'.
A company statement continued: 'We are concerned with the lack of focus on immediate improvement, as we and our customers must see short-term progress, especially as the Olympics and Paralympics will be a showcase for the industry.
'The problem has been highlighted recently as improved weather at the end of May ruined performance through heat-related delays with performance on some days being at around 60 per cent punctuality.
'We have repeatedly told the ORR and NR that we must have a reliable infrastructure if we are to continue the remarkable growth of recent years, when we have seen the number of customers double to 30 million a year. Anything short of this will affect the potential of the West Coast Main Line to continue its success.'
When asked to respond, Network Rail declined to comment directly on Virgin's statement, but repeated what it had said when the ORR had published its ruling last week: 'We welcome the ORR’s recognition that we, and the train operating companies, have already done much to improve long distance punctuality in this control period – which is currently running at a record level of 89.2 percent for the past year – and we accept the challenge to deliver an even better service.
'We are determined to do all we can to achieve that through balancing the continued growth in demand with passengers’ desire for improved reliability in terms of punctuality.'
Virgin is currently one of four shortlisted bidders for the next West Coast intercity contract, which is due to begin in December.