Franchise Performance Minutes - 12 November 2009

1.1) Approved agreed minutes of previous meeting - All actions closed or elsewhere on agenda except:

Wemyss Bay Station lease area - NWR is now contacting CMAL regarding
transfer ownership of an area of the car park from NWR to either CalMac or
Caledonian Maritime Assets (CMAL). It was agreed this item would transfer onto the Station Investment Plan meeting agenda. AP - This item is to be taken off the Agenda and moved to the SIP meeting.

Highland Mainline Strengthening - AP FSR will forward an email version of the final report to TS.

1.2) Progress on actions from Quarterly and actions arising from Quarterly Projects Review

No actions for discussion.

1.3) Variations, Changes and Priced Options

Wi-fi Call off - FSR advised that a study into the feasibility of this option is about to be called off.

1.4) Committed Obligations Delivery

No issues were raised.

1.5) Compliance

No issues were raised.

2) COMMERCIAL AND PASSENGER ISSUES

2.1) Service Level Commitment Delivery

Track Access Agreement

• Sleeper Dispute - Diversion on East Coast Main Line - FSR is unaware exactly when the panel decision will be made
• Access Rights over the Forth Bridge - The joint submission of the Part J Notice dispute has been submitted. It was noted DB Schenker has stated that it requires the access rights to operate 12 trains to and from Longannet via Alloa, and Freightliner also require paths to operate two trains. NWR is working towards a resolution. AP - FSR will send TS a copy of the Part J dispute paper and MP will send a summary of the latest position 
• Journey Time Consultation - There has been a mixed response to the consultation from operators. AP - MP asked if there was an agenda for the meeting with ORR and HB advised she would enquire.

Lease of 158s -TS paper will be submitted to RMT. AP - DA will contact Sean Kehoe regarding the cost information.

Timetable Conference - AP - HB/JF to meet and consider if further information is required for the meeting. FSR will consider if it would be appropriate to issue a covering note to RTPs when agenda is issued to set out expectations.

December 2009 timetable - FSR advised that timetables are now well under production to be available four weeks prior to change.

May 2010 - FSR is progressing the access issue for Shotts Sunday services. The early 05:22 Kilmarnock service remains outstanding. FSR is confident that it can put together an option for Dunbar. AP - JF will check that the 23:12 to Dumfries has been resolved.

Overtime -First Capital Connect issue - FSR confirmed that different arrangements apply and there is good coverage of positions at depots.

2.2) Customer Service and Standards

Alternative Transport provision - FSR circulated alternative transport policy in advance of the meeting. ScotRail explained the purpose was to ensure that it had such a document and that it provided advice to staff. The policy takes account of the fact that providing bus transportation for passengers as an alterative means of transport is not always the best option (e.g. roads might be blocked or the next train might enable customers to arrive at their destination sooner). Instead it is better in some cases to keep passengers warm, refreshed and comfortable. FSR advised that it will implement its Alternative Transport provision as soon as Transport Scotland endorses it.

3) PERFORMANCE

3.1) Flooding, Observation and Review

JD provided an overview of the situation that arose during 2 weekends of flooding which caused infrastructural issues for the rail and road networks and resulted in major disruption to FSR services. Areas such as Dundee and Inverurie were particularly badly affected. From the FSR review which is undertaken to improve its response in situations of major disruption it was noted that FSR should improve its level of communication by making its message stronger to passengers as to the best course of action that should be taken.

There were also issues with FSR staff in connection with the management of bus replacement services. FSR advised that it has a call-out contract with bus companies, but availability and disruption to road network can be a factor, and bus companies are generally good and arrive around the times that the bus companies have estimated.

FSR confirmed that NWR's flow of information was sufficient. FSR acknowledge that it was appropriate to bring parts of line back as early as possible, however, this gives rise to short notice timetable change and it would be beneficial for this information to be received as early as possible.

4) HUMAN RESOURCES AND INDUSTRIAL ISSUES

No issues were discussed.

5) AOB

Timetable Leaflet timescales - The franchise Agreement stipulates that timetable material should be available at stations 4 weeks in advance of the new timetable start date. FSR advised that this timescale is tight from a printing perspective and would like this changed so that printed timetable material can be available 2 weeks before the timetable start date. Timetable information will still be provided online 4 weeks prior to the start date. FSR advised that there would be environmental benefits and that it had undertaken some research which had showed more people were switching to the web to obtain timetable information. IJ stated that any move away from the current position would be a franchise variation and that TS would require a strong evidence base. TS is content for FSR to approach Passenger Focus with its proposal in the first instance.

Smartcards - currently in testing phase - AP - FSR will contact TS in advance of a public launch.