A small victory

In these politically correct times it is a brave organisation that has a go at the Disability Taliban or those they claim to represent.

Fortunately in the North East they have hearts of oak and are as brave as lions!

Thus Nexus, the operators of the Tyne and Wear Metro, is threatening to sue the driver of a mobility scooter which crashed onto the tracks at Byker station causing massive disruption to the network.

Nexus is considering the move after the scooter's driver, who was not seriously hurt, "broke regulations" by travelling alone on the transport network.

In April Nexus introduced new rules governing Mobility Scooters following a spate of incidents that disrupted passenger services. As a consequence Mobility Scooters are only allowed on the network when 'accompanied and assisted by an appropriate person on foot'.

Nexus director general Bernard Garner said: "This accident demonstrates the importance of the new rule that scooter users only travel with an appropriate companion who can assist with their safety, and that of other passengers, at all times.

"We're exploring the possibility of legal action to recover our own costs associated with the disruption. The point here is that we believe the person involved was in breach of our updated conditions of carriage because they did not have a companion, and that led to an accident.

"If we cannot establish this with all scooter users then the safety risks associated with these vehicles mean we will have no alternative but to ban them." he added.

Nexus is in the middle of a consultation on the future use of mobility scooters on the Metro, a process being carried out by its own advisory body Transport For All.

The Fact Compiler understands that there is no substance to rumours that Guide Dogs found worrying trains risk being shot.

Minister gagged!

At 10:00 this morning Rail Minister Tom Harris announced via his blog that he would be appearing on Thursday night's BBC1 Question Time.

But by mid-day the article had disappeared from view!

Just in case Tom's blog has malfunctioned here is the missing article in full:

Question Time
And another thing...Today at 10:00 AM

I’m to be a panel member on Question Time tomorrow, alongside Nicola Sturgeon of the SNP, David Lansley, the Shadow Health Secretary, LibDem peer Baroness Emma Nicholson and David Mitchell of Peep Show fame.

It’s being broadcast from Musselburgh in East Lothian at 10.35pm on BBC1 on Thursday.

The Fact Compiler wonders whether he will still appear or whether his well earned reputation as a man who knows and speaks his own mind has caused panic amongst the Labour Party Thought Police, who are still reeling following the resignation of Wendy Alexander - Tom's friend and former Scottish Labour leader at Holyrood.

In the land of the blind

***Those who applied to become Network Rail public members should now know whether they have succeeded in getting through to the next stage of the process.***

Worth the wait?

***On Monday DafT revealed that the InterCity Express Programme has spent £9.4m on consultancy fees since 2005***

In case you're reading this whilst delayed by "rolling stock shortages" that figure would have bought two new three-car DMU or EMU trains.

Crank it up

Rail Minister Tom Harris has told a Select Committee hearing that he is holding regular meetings with 'amateur railway enthusiasts'.

The Daily Telegraph reported the Minister as saying "These gentlemen feel very strongly about the industry. They do not have any statutory authority for anything but they really appreciate having access to the minister for half an hour every few months".

What does this mean?

Perhaps the Minister refers to his regular meetings with Nigel Harris (no relation), editor of Rail magazine?

But surely the Minister doesn't really view Nigel as an 'amateur railway enthusiast'?

The alternative, of course, doesn't bear thinking about.

The Fact Compiler understands that Des Browne, Secretary of State for Defence, will now be discussing the worsening security situation in Afghanistan with members of The Sealed Knot.

Reid all about it

Telegrammed from our man in 222 Marylebone Road

Robert Wright, the transport correspondent of the Financial Times is at it again, relying for his print bites on the soi disant 'veteran observer' of the railway scene Rupert Brennan-Brown.

Presumably the FT eschews the usual rent-a-quotes because Wolmar follows up with an invoice, Roger Ford is too techy, Barry Doe only does fares and Nigel Harris is too busy taking the great and the good to lunch.

But calling RB-B a 'veteran' almost justifies a sharp note to the Press Complaints johnnies.

The man is a damn parvenu, one of the carpet baggers who came in to the industry on the coat tails of former Shell Chairman Sir Robert Reid.

As any fule kno "veteran status" can only be accorded to those who served in the industry under his predecessor, the late great, Sir Robert Reid.

An explanation for younger readers: In the Tory 1980s it was Government policy that new Chairmen of nationalised industries had to have the same name as their predecessor to save on stationary costs.

Plane crazy

The bids for the IEP were submitted to the DfT today.

Unfortunately Alstom weren't amongst the bidders having pulled the plug on their bid for the Frankenstein Train some months ago.

Which is a shame as Alstom is now looking at producing a freight version of the TGV that would offer companies like UPS and FedEx a rail alternative to their current carbon hungry fleet of planes.

Just as well they're not in the running. With Daft so in hock to the aviation lobby a real rail alternative to airfreight like this would never be allowed to take off.

Happy Mondays

Not a happy Monday for folk arriving on early morning trains into Euston today, many of whom were delayed into the capital (surprise, surprise).

Virgin first class customers will have been even less pleased, since their free at-seat copy of The Times had a lead letter from Network Rail boss Iain Coucher, extolling the wonders of the railway - particularly the punctuality record.

Coucher boasted that "now more than 90 per cent" of train services arrive on time.

As one exasperated passenger put it: "A bloody shame that the remaining 10% all serve Euston!"

Lookalike

The DafT official tasked with masterminding Government electrification policy (or lack there-of) has been discovered moon-lighting as an extra in the Peter Kay comedy series Phoenix Nights.


Spencer, much like DfT electrification policy, is hapless.

Make your mind up

In a shock horror splash across most of the Sundays the Campaign for Better Transport has revealed that walk on fares are err... more expensive than tickets bought in advance.

No shit Sherlock!

As pointed out by Railway Eye only two weeks ago the story could equally well have read "Buy early for best deals" - except that wouldn't have made quite such a good story.

CBT Director Stephen Joseph said "We have to have reasonable walk-on fares or people will walk on straight into their cars."

An interesting point Stephen. But can you suggest how else the railway manage demand for its scarce capacity?

Particularly when your organisation's website lists rail over-crowding as it's primary concern.

The Fact Compiler congratulates CBT for a slick piece of PR which adds precisely nothing to the debate but positions CBT as the master of "Cake and Eat it".

I should Coco

Beleaguered Network Rail boss Iain Coucher was in grim mood as he gave an address to the railway industry's Fourth Friday networking club.

The only time he broke into a smile was when it became apparent there would be no more questions from the floor at the end.

But at least no one called him "Mr Croucher" as the interviewer did on Monday's Today programme.

Coucher also took the opportunity to make clear that he is more than willing to see the ORR refer Network Rail to the Competition Commission over the level of funding the regulator believes the infrastructure owner needs in CP4.

Referral to the Competition Commission is becoming something of a badge of honour in the railway industry. First the ROSCOs, next NR...

Spot the Crank #4

This Gentleman was recently seen shopping for a lawn mower.

Despite the very large cheque in his hand (pictured) his local B&Q were unable to help as he refused to buy the machine, insisting that he would rather have it on wet lease terms.

Do you know who it is yet?

Answers on a postcard to

Anyone Left?
HSBC Rail (UK) Ltd
PO Box 29499
London
NW1 2ZF

Axis of IEPvil

***DfT announcement yesterday on changes to IEP bidders***

"Hitachi Europe had been succeeded as an applicant for the Intercity Express Programme (IEP) by Agility Trains Ltd (a consortium comprising of Hitachi (Japan) Ltd, Barclays Private Equity and John Laing Projects and Developments).

Bidders are:

• Express Rail Alliance (a consortium comprising Bombardier Transportation, Siemens, Angel Trains and Babcock & Brown)
• Agility Trains Ltd (a consortium comprising of Hitachi (Japan) Ltd, Barclays Private Equity and John Laing Projects and Developments)

The tender return date for the Intercity Express Programme is midday, Monday 30 June 2008."

Is the Fact Compiler alone in looking forward to the inevitable NAO enquiry into this extraordinary procurement process?

All Change at HSBC

***Both Peter Aldridge and Robert Marrill, Head of Customer Services and Operations at HSBC Rail have been seen shopping for new lawn mowers***

ScotRail is keen to talk to anyone at HSBC about funding for their nemesis trains.

PM to wave magic wand!

The Big Grin used yesterday's Prime Minister's Questions to hint that he has something revolutionary and exciting up his sleeve for the railway industry!

Norman Baker (Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, Transport; Lewes, Liberal Democrat)
As a Scottish MP, the Prime Minister will have noticed the strong success of the recently reopened railway between Stirling and Alloa, where passenger numbers are currently three times greater than the projected figure for 2011, and the reopened line to Ebbw Vale in Wales is similarly a success story. If reopening lines in Scotland and Wales makes such good economic sense, why has the Department for Transport ruled out, despite the strong social and environmental case, reopening lines in England, such as the line from Lewes to Uckfield?

Gordon Brown (Prime Minister; Kirkcaldy & Cowdenbeath, Labour)
Last year, we said that we want to double the capacity of the existing network, which includes the whole of the United Kingdom. We have invited Network Rail to examine options for supporting further growth, which might include new lines and electrification. The hon. Gentleman will find that Network Rail and the Government are looking at those issues. I also hope that he acknowledges that we have committed £10 billion to increasing capacity over the next five years, which will result in the single biggest increase in capacity for a generation, 1,300 new carriages and funding for major projects in all parts of the country. We are honouring our commitment to the railways of this country, which is why more people are using the railways than at any time since the 1940s.

So the Government is committed to doubling the capacity of the network and has instructed Network Rail to look at options for further growth which, in the PM's words might include new lines and electrification.

If it doesn't include new lines and electrification then what precisely does the PM have in mind? Perhaps one of our Westminster readers could seek clarification....

Rosco update

The current turbulence in the world's financial markets has not left the Rolling Stock Leasing Companies unscathed.

With the price of capital soaring little new business is being written.

Earlier this month RBS managed to flog Angel Trains to a consortium led by Babcock and Brown for £3.6bn. The deal did nothing to restore market confidence in BB whose share price continued in free fall and is now worth 30% of its start of year value.

Meanwhile over at Porterbrook the world's 'Oldest Active Data Room' has received yet another spring clean as Banco Santander plays host to the latest bidder undertaking due diligence on the Derby based firm.

Only at HSBC does all appear quiet.

Indeed, so much so that MD Peter Aldridge is reported to be looking "very relaxed".

Should anyone see Peter purchasing a new lawn mower at B&Q please could they let the Fact Compiler know.

Eye bollocks

Oh dear - is ageing satirical magazine Private Eye loosing the plot?

The latest issue has a story by Gavel Basher on "worth every penny" PR and lobbying agency Golden Arrow Communications.

As Basher warms to his theme (the general uselessness of former Ministers as lobbyists) he keeps insisting that both "National Express and GNER" are Golden Arrow clients.

Whoops - as any fule kno GNER ceased to require lobbying services on 9th December 2007 when the East Coast Mainline franchise was transferred to errr... National Express!

Sloppy of Basher not to check his story with the Eye's resident railway expert Dr B Ching.

Contractor cleans up

***Short staffed and under pressure crew on an Arriva XC Leeds to Soton service this morning were delighted when ISS manager Margaret rolled up her sleeves and helped serve at seat refreshments to first class passengers.***

A nice example of partnership at work.

Hogwash

Telegrammed by our man in 222 Marylebone Road...

Here is Tom (why are you all so bloody miserable) Harris addressing the Institute of Economic Affairs Future of rail conference on 18 June:

"Although Network Rail is a product of this government, I’m certainly not its apologist. And if it fails in its delivery, then I will be the first to criticise. But I do believe it has suffered an unfair press. Mistakes were made at Liverpool Street and we saw the consequences when 16 overhead line engineers failed to show up for work over Christmas.

"But what’s conveniently forgotten by the pundits is that at that time we saw the most intensive period of engineering activity on the Railway since rail privatisation. There were 35 major project work sites plus dozens of instances of more minor works".

Clearly, while repercussions at Liverpool Street managed to penetrate Tom's Westminster-centric universe it seems odd that an MP with a Glasgow constituency is unaware of the shag up at Shields Junction.

And since he is known to travel by Virgin Trains between Westminster and his constituency it's equally odd that he missed the Rugby over run which also contributed to the £14million Christmas fine from ORR.

But we have to agree he's not an apologist when it comes to his government's creation, more a whitewasher.

D Notice

Media sections in yesterday's papers reported the likely demise of The London Paper, Murdoch's Standard spoiler.

Despite denials today from News International such a development couldn't come soon enough for London Underground, which has to get shot of thousands of copies left strewn around trains and stations each day.

As well as cleaning up the system, improving Customer Satisfaction Survey scores and reducing a potential fire risk, the demise of one of London's three evening newsheets would save TfL a small fortune in litter picking costs.

Fingers are crossed at 55 Broadway that Associated will also merge Standard Lite and The Evening Standard into one paper.

The Fact Compiler understands that BoJo can see the PR benefits of a cleaner looking Tube and has instructed his minions to help Lord Rothermere make the right decision...