Matthew Golton, TPE’s managing director was questioned at the Rail North Committee on 31st May 2022, about the recent and current levels of punctuality and reliability (in case anyone comes back to read this in future years, both of which are truly awful).
Cllr Susan Hinchliffe, West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s representative on the committee, specifically asked about the impact on Slaithwaite & Marsden, making reference to a passenger who takes an overnight bag to work on the basis that he might not be able to get home the 20 miles from Leeds in an evening.
Firstly, Matthew Golton’s general comments.
TPE appear to be quite good at acknowledging that the situation is unacceptable and ok at saying sorry. [They have had plenty of practice at both of these things. It’s what comes after the apology that’s difficult.]
Also noted that TPEs passenger numbers and revenue are both between 75 & 80% of pre-covid levels, but that there is suppressed demand. [An example of suppressed demand would be evening leisure journeys into Manchester and Leeds, which cannot be made by rail at present because the level and pattern of cancellations is so unpredictable.]
Secondly, Cllr Hinchliffe’s specific questions and replies thereto.
TPE are not so good at moving beyond agreeing things are unacceptable and that they’re sorry, to questions of how they mitigate the disruption to passengers and how they restore an acceptable level of service.