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EAUC Rewarding Sustainable Travel

EAUC Rewarding Sustainable Travel. Improving Rail Services a Case Study Dr Peter Hayward Convenor – EAUC Transport Group Chair, Dronfield Station Action Group. Improving Rail Services. A little bit of history….(1) British Rail privatised in mid - 1990’s: Railtrack

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EAUC Rewarding Sustainable Travel

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  1. EAUC Rewarding Sustainable Travel Improving Rail Services • a Case Study Dr Peter Hayward Convenor – EAUC Transport Group Chair, Dronfield Station Action Group

  2. Improving Rail Services A little bit of history….(1) British Rail privatised in mid - 1990’s: • Railtrack • 30+ operating companies (passenger) • 4 train leasing companies • Separate rail-freight companies • Open-access operators (passenger and freight) • Maintenance by private contractors • Field day for legal and financial consultants

  3. Improving Rail Services A little bit of history….(2) • Railtrack failed – replaced by Network Rail • Some Operators failed – replaced or taken over • Variable performance • Mergers and take-overs • New companies (including overseas) • Strategic Rail Authority created – and abolished • Trend towards fewer but bigger operating companies

  4. Improving Rail Services Where are we now? • Passenger operations dominated by big bus companies (First, NXE, Stagecoach, Arriva) • Open access on small scale • Fewer but larger new passenger franchises • New freight companies • Network Rail track maintenance “in house” • DfT specifies most passenger rail services

  5. Improving Rail Services How does this affect Dronfield? • Station operated by Northern Rail, but…. ……. no Northern Rail train services • Trains provided by 3 different operators • Residual service based on 25 years ago • 130+ trains pass through every weekday • 5 trains stop in each direction –bizarre timetable • 10hr gap northbound (08.25 – 18.25) • First southbound train at 12.50 • No overall responsibility

  6. Improving Rail Services An opportunity? • New East Midlands Franchise from November 2007 • Combines London – Sheffield and East Midlands local services • DfT issued draft specification in June 2006 for consultation – Dronfield not on franchise map! • Four shortlisted operating companies invited to respond to revised specification by end February 2007 • DfT proposing new Nottingham – Leeds regional service to provide alternative to M1

  7. Improving Rail Services Consultation – making friends and influencing people!! • Letter to “freebie” local magazine to gauge support • Many letters published in reply – users and would-be users • Magazine editor agreed to support and publicise campaign • Enlisted help of local MP and county/local councils • MP hosted public meeting in early August 2006 • Dronfield Station Action Group formed

  8. Improving Rail Services Dronfield Station Action Group President: Natascha Engel MP Supported by: • Dronfield Town Council • NE Derbyshire District Council • Derbyshire County Council • Dronfield Civic Society • Transport 2000 • Sheffield City Council

  9. Improving Rail Services DSAG Objectives • A minimum hourly train service in each direction throughout the day, Monday – Saturday with additional trains at peak times • Some Sunday services • Half-hourly weekday service in the medium term • Train times to cater for both local journeys and connections to the national network • Local bus routes/times adjusted to provide connections with trains • Improved promotion and publicity for rail journey opportunities • Better signage at and to the station • A working and used public address or train information facility • Adopt station under the Northern Rail Station Adoption scheme.

  10. Improving Rail Services Campaign Strategy • Respond to all DfT consultations and briefings • Encourage others to respond (public, Councils..) • Lobby Rail Minister • Meet with EM Franchise bidders • Meet with current operating companies • Maintain a high local profile and keep the community informed • Adopt Dronfield Station and improve environment: “Friends of Dronfield Station”

  11. Improving Rail Services The story continues…. • Formal “Case” prepared for Minister and operators • MP taking a lead role in lobbying Minister and DfT ….. Questions in Parliament (17 October 06) • DfT announcement of new Nottingham – Leeds service (31 Oct): some trains to stop at Dronfield – but still 2hr gaps! • Meetings being arranged with EM Franchise bidders • County Council agreement in principle to linking local bus services – mini-interchange at station • Local awareness campaign continues: press, newsletter, town-wide petition & survey, car stickers, flyers, posters… • Web-site established at <www.dronfieldstation.org.uk>

  12. Improving Rail Services Lessons • Partnership/team approach needed • Membership of team crucial: key players must be on-board • Use all the contacts and skills of all members • Do your homework – gather the supporting data • Railway industry is complex and diffuse – many companies and differing responsibilities • Government and commercial operators put cash above service – no sign of green agenda here! • Be alert!

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