Can't count, won't count

Telegrammed by The Major
More mutterings about the lacklustre performance of our elected representatives at yesterday's Transport Select Committee.

The saintly Louise proved from the off that she knows little about fares.

"Most fares are up six to seven times the rate of inflation" she claims.

Errrr... that would be 18-21% (if we assume inflation to be 3%).

A figure that even Virgin dare not dream of!

Mind you, it's easy to get these things wrong when your first class travel is paid for by the tax payer.

Tornado blows NXEC away

***Some good news for Darlington based fans of the new Peppercorn kettle***

Hoodwinked!

The Transport Select Committee certainly isn't what it used to be.

At this afternoon's session MPs were particularly keen to ask questions about the infamous meeting Hoon had with franchisees on the 19th January.

Alas the sharp bus bandits outsmarted Ellman and her team.

None of those sent to represent the TOCs at the TSC had actually attended the Hoon meeting, allowing them to neatly dodge committee member questions without any risk of perjury.

Meanwhile struggling National Express played a particular blinder, fielding Paul Bunting currently MD of their Coach Division; a man who hasn't run a railway for nigh on three years!

It was beautifully done and all the more so because none of those sitting on the TSC appeared to notice!

Democratic accountability 0
Bus Bandits 3

Great leap forward syndrome

Telegrammed by our man at 222 Marylebone Road
There is a timely article by John Kay, in today's Financial Times, nominally about what he terms Great Leap Forward Syndrome in Government.

The following extract may remind readers of a current railway project:

Great Leap Forward syndrome begins with an aspiration to remedy serious past failure with unprecedented future success.

The plan is not to imitate those who have managed things better, but to implement what they have not yet been able to accomplish.

The goal is never achieved, or is partly reached after extended delays and far more expenditure than initially envisaged.

The problems are aggravated by falsely optimistic reports of progress until, and perhaps even after, the scale of the disaster is evident.

There is much more in the same vein and all disturbingly applicable to the Frankenstein/Zombie/Camel Class train.

First cut is the deepest

This from SWT...

South West Trains today (4 February 2009) announced it is proposing to make a further reduction of 180 posts at the company as part of its ongoing review of its cost base.

The proposals, which are subject to consultation with employees, are in addition to the 480 job reductions announced last month.

Will the last one out please turn off the lights

Star struck

This from the Sun via Police News...

The BTP detective who keeps the 'Police Reporting UFO Sightings' database is convinced there is life on another planet...

Here's a special Railway Eye tip for any of our enthusiast friends bullied by petty officials whilst taking photos at stations.

Just say you're helping the BTP with their little green men enquiries!

Snow good

***A remarkably measured piece from Trixy on TOC's and snow***

The thick of it

Anyone looking for a spot of light relief this afternoon should head off to the Transport Select Committee.

Representatives of First Group, National Express, Virgin Trains, Southeastern and First Hull Trains will attempt to defend the indefensible by claiming recent fares increases are justified.

And in a dash of pure comedy genius the Committee has also decided to examine the impact of the recession on franchises.

To watch National Express on the ropes click here. The fun begins at 14:45.

New trains shocker!

This just in from yesterday's Anglo-sino trade bilateral.

UK Government signals unconditional acceptance of terms for Chinese trains.

Lookalike lV

Crossrail CEO

Finally Rob Holden has been confirmed in post.

Crossrail has also appointed:

Valerie Todd as Talent and Resources Director (from TfL)

Lesley Calladine as Health and Safety Director (from Serco)

and

David Allen as Finance Director (from Laing O'Rourke)

At the point Holden joins the project Doug Oakervee will become non-executive Chairman.

Someone with a sense of humour has decided that this will take place on All Fools Day.

UPDATE: Captain Deltic wonders:

Does Valerie Todd's appointment presage a new TV Talent show, 'Strictly come project managing'?

Anyway, what's the difference between her role and that of a good old fashioned Personnel Manager?

Probably about £100k plus attractive package.

UPDATE: Captain Deltic riposts...

Is the Fact Compiler suggesting that Ms Todd is an attractive package?

At this point The Fact Compiler, preferring discretion to valour, withdraws from the field of battle...

Rail spellbound!

Has Rail editor, Nigel Harris, been got at?

Famous for having described the IEP as the Camel Class and roundly condemning it, the great man has now sprung to its defence, both in print and on-line.

"My sources insist that IEP could work as I’ve outlined." says Nigel.

As the only possible 'source' for such a view is Marsham Street there are fears that Nigel's been bewitched by the Prince of Daftness!

UPDATE: Nigel Harris writes...

Now then, now then, now then FC, please read what I’ve said – not what you think I‘ve said!

Please note liberal use of words like ‘could; and ‘if’ - my Comment piece is full of qualifications. Circumstances have changed – so I’ve potentially changed my view, which is what a sensible man does, surely?

As it stood, IEP was indeed the wrong answer to the wrong question...but in the context of coupling IEP with GW electrification, then it’s a different question and therefore potentially different answer.

But only, I stressed, IF THE TRAIN WORKS!

Contrary to your mischievous implication, I have not gone over to the dark side. My buckle will continue to swash, so fear not.

With best wishes to your illustrious online organ.

Virgin moves on ECML?

***Evening Standard reporting that Beardie Rail has its eye on the East Coast franchise***

The green grass

On the day the railways stopped because of a bit of snow...

Here true ingenuity and pluck!

Captain Bob, with bowler tip to Dan.

Once men like these built the railways.

TfL confession - Shock horror

Not seen today...


Make your own with a bowler tip to Obnoxio.

Dead donkey

Full marks to New Civil Engineer for having its finger on the pulse!

This from the NCE website...

Crossrail chief executive to be named today.

Except he wasn't. So snow delaying Crossrail already.

Snow in London - World Ends!

It's official - public transport can't handle the snow.

At least not in the South East.

Meanwhile, outside the Metropolitan village, life continues as normal.

Webbed fingers

Avoid Norfolk at all costs, if you plan to require the services of an ambulance.

This from the Norwich Evening News...

Ambulance bosses have defended their decision to use a new fleet of vehicles which are too big to go under some railway bridges.

The East of England Ambulance Trust has come under fire for purchasing new ambulance vehicles which are “taller” than existing ones.

Hopefully NR is seeking legal advice on whether individual members of the EEA Trust can be held accountable for the inevitable bridge bashes and resulting disruption?

Tell them nothing!

Not a good day for Chris Austin OBE, the Director of Public Policy at ATOC.

Austin used to head up communications at the SRA before Bowker moved him sideways.

With good reason, judging by this in the Western Daily Press...

At the beginning of last year, WSR (the West Somerset Railway) was offered free use of a rail grinding machine by Network Rail to upgrade the surface of its tracks, on the basis it would be a useful training exercise for Network Rail...

As a result, most of the steam train services had to be suspended until mid-July, with the timetable being maintained by vintage diesel locomotive...

In his report, (David Morgan of the HRA)... said: "It seems that management woke up rather late to the fact that there was a public relations problem at all.

"In his letter, the (then) chairman, Chris Austin, candidly admits that he took the decision not to press release the bad news of the track problems more widely 'both to protect the reputation of the railway and to protect revenue during a difficult year'.

Morgan concludes "The lack of dissemination of the bad news resulted in many groups coming long distances to travel on a steam train to be confronted by the lack of such a service, or at worst cancellations."

Good to see such devotion to transparency from the man in charge of ATOC's Public Policy.

Route Master

***Boris suspends buses, but encourages car use***