Franchise Performance Minutes - 7 January 2010

1) STANDING ITEMS AND FRANCHISE PROGRESS

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

Highland Mainline Strengthening - Transport Scotland (TS) noted that ScotRail (FSR) has carried out passenger counts and that FSR had said that it would consider opportunities for strengthening on the Highland Mainline with this information to be supplied early in the New Year. Noted if there were any strengthening opportunities then timescales would be to look at May timetable change. Action - JF

Communication methods for timetable change - JM advised that GM had considered this issue. It was noted that media opportunities such as the Metro newspaper would be looked at.

1.2) Identification of actions arising from Quarterly and actions arising from Quarterly Projects Review
Actions covered on the agenda.

1.3) Variations, Changes and Priced Options

Perth Stabling expansion - JM noted that there was no further update at this stage. Action - SR to keep TS updated

1.4) Committed Obligations Delivery

Haymarket lifts - DA noted that TS will respond to ScotRail on the proposed delivery programme. Action - TS

Queen Street escalators - No update.

1.5) Compliance
It was noted that following discussion at the previous meeting concerning Section 12 of the Franchise Performance 4 weekly report that JM is taking this forward internally. HB asked for a draft for the next meeting if possible. Action - JM

2) COMMERCIAL AND PASSENGER ISSUES

2.1) Service Level Commitment Delivery - Track Access Agreement

ORR (Office of the Rail Regulator) determination - It was agreed JM would establish who would be taking this forward for FSR. Action - JM

Capacity reservation - OHC noted Airdrie / Bathgate would be covered by a S22A Supplemental Agreement however there was no progress with reserving capacity on the Paisley Corridor. OHC advised MP was to raise with Network Rail (NWR) and a response on MP's discussion with NWR is required. Action - JM

Sleeper services - JM advised that there was no update on NWR's appeal to the ORR on the Access Disputes Committee decision.

Part J dispute - NS advised that ORR issued a supplemental agreement for DB Schenker (DBS) yesterday. TS to review consultation and liaise with FSR on a response.
. .
Lease of Northern Class 158s - JM noted that FSR had received a draft update from DA on proposed lease extensions. Action - FSR JM.

May 2010 Timetable: offer and issues - NS advised that FSR had received the offer from NWR for the May 2010 timetable and that this was being worked on.

Stena/Stranraer timetable offer - NS noted that FSR was awaiting confirmation from Stena due early January on the Stena timetable.

Dunbar - It was agreed NS would provide an update to RTP on Dunbar and NS noted that he would do this after the services has been bid for . Action - NS

Feasibility and off-peak study - It was noted that Alan Scott would be managing the study which would be carried out by an external consultancy company.

Airdrie - Bathgate - NS outlined good progress with the timetable development but mentioned there would be some service implicationsDA asked that these be shared to allow TS to be fully informed of these consequences. Action - NS

2.2) Customer Service and Standards

Customer Contact Centre, Fort William - OHC advised Allan Anderson had provided a response to Mike Price's email on the unresolved issues, one of which concerns a general clause inserted in the Contract which allows Scottish Ministers to request a Direct Agreement is entered into with First Rail Holdings. Action - JM

Customer communications during weather related disruptions -
IJ related his observations on the effectiveness of customer communications during the recent severe weather. It was agreed JM would take forward with Jacqui Dey. Action - JM

HSBC - 320 toilets - It was noted that an update from FSR was required by 18 January. Action - FSR

Post meeting note: Period 10 finished on 9 January 2010 and therefore update is required imminently and no later than the start of this week i.e. 12 January. JM advised. Action - FSR

2.3) Public Relations

Audit Scotland - HB advised that Audit Scotland will produce a 12 month report after publication of action targets for Transport Scotland.

3) PERFORMANCE

3.1) It was noted that Alistair Fyfe had meet with Jacqui Dey and David Simpson yesterday and therefore the subject would not be duplicated in this meeting.
For the purpose of the minutes ScotRail and Network Rail had explained that FSR and NWR were not taking particular action to chase performance targets, rather accepting that performance had not met targets. Both parties were concentrating efforts on provided best possible services to customers given the severe weather impact. On communication ScotRail stated that it is doing all it can including bringing in additional staff to help with information provision. However, anecdotal evidence (as discussed under 2.2) is that there have been some occurrences where provision of information could have been better

4) HUMAN RESOURCES AND INDUSTRIAL ISSUES
No discussion.

5) AOB
No discussion.

Next meeting due to take place on 4 February 2010.