Slight improvement in bus company operating margins

The consultancy, TAS, has reported that the average profit margin of the bus industry increased in the 2007/8 financial year to 6.9 per cent, which was higher than the previous year, but lower than any other year since 1994/5. The level of costs recorded by bus operators increased by 7.9 per cent, considerably in excess of retail price inflation, due to rises in fuel and labour costs and reduced productivity – staff productivity, as measured by the number of kilometres of bus operators run per crew member, has fallen by fifteen per cent during the last ten years (there are now 1.6 bus crew for every vehicle – the highest ratio for twenty years). The consultants conclude that the continuing low level of profitability left bus operators ‘poorly equipped’ to face the current economic recession – operators could either increase fares or reduce services, but assistance from local authorities to shorten journey times by reducing congestion would be beneficial in both generating additional revenue and cutting costs.

Rail crash at Exeter St Davids

A First Great Western (FGW) class 142 unit has tonight (Monday 4 January) crashed at low speed into a pair of South West Trains (SWT) class 159 units which were stationary in platform one at Exeter St Davids railway station – it is reported that five passengers are receiving treatment for minor injuries suffered in the accident. The FGW train was operating the 1813hrs Barnstaple to Exmouth service, while the two SWT units were waiting to work the 1926hrs departure to London Waterloo. Media reports state that there was little damage to the three units – the class 142 train has been taken to Exeter depot, while the SWT units have operated with passengers to Salisbury depot. Both trains were scheduled to occupy platform one at the same time under ‘permissive’ working regulations.

Department for Transport efficiency savings ‘illusory’

The national Audit Office (NAO) has reported that many of the efficiency savings claimed by the Department for Transport (DfT) may be ‘illusory’ – the DfT reported savings of eight hundred and ninety-two million pounds for the 2008/9 financial year, but the NAO is only completely satisfied with claims totalling three hundred and eighty-seven million pounds (forty-three per cent)! The NAO reports that three hundred and seven million pounds of the disputed amount relate to Network Rail grant and subsidies paid to train operating companies where the DfT has failed to base savings on the actual expenditure in the 2007/8 financial year.

Trains to return to Wadebridge?

The Bodmin and Wenford Railway, which currently provides trains between Bodmin Parkway and Boscarne Junction via Bodmin General, is undertaking a route survey to investigate the feasibility of extending the line northwards to Wadebridge – the feasibility study is expected to be completed in early 2011.

Railway Forum axed

The Railway Forum, which was launched in 1997 to act as a ‘voice’ for the entire railway industry, ceased operations on 31 December 2009.

DaSTS contracts awarded

Transport consultants who have term contracts with local authorities in the South West of England have been the main winners in awards of the Department for Transport (DfT) ‘Delivering a sustainable transport strategy’ (DaSTS) studies – many local authorities have chosen to directly appoint term consultants as the DfT required phase one of the studies to be completed this spring. Five contracts have been awarded in South West England as follows:-

Cheltenham/Gloucester: Atkins (direct award as Atkins has term consultancy with Gloucestershire County Council)

Exeter: Parsons Brinckerhoff (direct award as Parsons Brinckerhoff has term consultancy with Devon County Council and Torbay Council)

South East Dorset: Atkins (competitive tender)

Swindon: Halcrow (direct award as Halcrow has term consultancy with Swindon Borough Council)

Taunton: Halcrow (competition using the framework of the South West Regional Development Agency)

The contract for the West of England study (Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire) has yet to be awarded, but only the four consultants with term contracts with the four constituent councils can bid.

People

Richard Burningham, the manager of the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, was awarded a MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the New Year honours list.

And finally,

The current edition of the leaflet for the ‘Ride Cornwall’, the one day bus and rail rover ticket, shows the branch line between Gunnislake and Plymouth operating via Saltash, places Gunnislake incorrectly in the county of Devon and reveals that the branch line to St Ives commences at Hayle – the leaflet also claims that Cornwall only has a coastline of fifty miles!