Agenda, decisions and minutes

That apologies be noted and received from Councillor Andrew Western (GMCA), Mark Angelucci (TfGM), Guillaume Chanussot (Keolis Amey) Victoria Mercer (TfGM) and Caroline Whittam (TfGM).

Resolved /-

That apologies be noted and received from Councillor Andrew Western (GMCA), Mark Angelucci (TfGM), Guillaume Chanussot (Keolis Amey) Victoria Mercer (TfGM) and Caroline Whittam (TfGM).

There were no Chair’s announcements or items of urgent business.

Resolved /-

There were no Chair’s announcements or items of urgent business.

To receive declarations of interest in any item for discussion at the meeting. A blank form for declaring interests has been circulated with the agenda; please ensure that this is returned to the Governance & Scrutiny Officer at least 48 hours before the start of the meeting.

There were no declarations received in relation to any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations received in relation to any item on the agenda.

To consider the approval of the GMTC Metrolink & Rail Sub Committee minutes of the meeting held 17 September 2021.

That the minutes of the GM Transport Metrolink & Rail Sub Committee meeting held 17 September 2021 be approved as a correct record.

RESOLVED/-

That the minutes of the GM Transport Metrolink & Rail Sub Committee meeting held 17 September 2021 be approved as a correct record.

Report of Daniel Vaughan, Head of Metrolink, TfGM.

1. That the report be noted.
2. That on behalf of the Committee, appreciation and recognition of the ongoing targeted partnership work to tackle crime and Anti-Social Behaviour across the network, in particular the Oldham/Rochdale line be received.
3. That further investigation and consideration be provided to the publication of convictions for matters relating to crime and ASB across the Metrolink network.
4. That the breakdown of patronage across the network on a line-by-line basis continue to be received and that further information to clarify the number of carriages used for journeys across Oldham/Rochdale line be provided by TfGM to Councillor Norman Briggs (Oldham Council).
5. That information relating to face covering compliance across the network be included in future updates to the Committee if available.

Verbal update from Kelios Amey Metrolink.

That the update provided by TfGM on behalf of KAM as part of the Metrolink Service Performance report be noted.

That the update provided by TfGM on behalf of KAM as part of the Metrolink Service Performance report be noted.

Report of Caroline Whittam, Head of Rail Services, TfGM.

That the report be noted.

Simon Elliott, Head of Rail Programme, TfGM provided an update to members on rail service and operation across Greater Manchester over rail periods five and six for 2021/22 (25 July – 18 September 2021) following the removal of all remaining Covid restrictions in England on 19 July 2021.

Operational performance during the period for all train operating companies serving Greater Manchester was reported to be good and remained consistent. Reported PPM for Northern and TPE was above 90% and Right Time at Destination figures of around 70%. Cancellations stayed relatively low, at between 3% - 4% for Northern and TPE, although higher for the longer distance operators, notably East Midlands Railway.

Train services in the period were reduced at the end of July/beginning of August by Avanti West Coast and Northern, as a direct result of exponential rises in Covid isolation alerts and crew availability. Services were subsequently re-introduced on 16 August for Avanti and 6 September for Northern. Following the re-instatement, overall service levels were currently at around 82% of pre-Covid, reflecting those last seen, albeit briefly in December 2020, before the third national lockdown was introduced.

Nationally, patronage was reported between 65-70% of pre-Covid which indicated that rail services in the Northwest were recovering more notably than other areas driven mainly by the leisure market.

It was advised that face covering compliance on services had significantly decreased since the last report from approximately 35% to 10-15% and observance was higher in the morning peak of the City Centre and on longer distance services.

Plans for Christmas services had not been finalised, but it was anticipated they were likely to follow a similar pattern to previous years; with earlier finishes on Christmas and New Year’s Eves, no GM services on Christmas Day or Boxing Day and some later starts during the interim period and New Year’s Day, followed by a normal service. Bank holidays Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 would see a standard service, albeit with some early morning services not running.

The Committee were informed that from 1 October until 12 December, a fleet of seven Network Rail vehicles would be deployed across the network clearing leaves and treating tracks to reduce adhesion problems caused by compacted leaf-mulch.

The response to the Manchester Recovery Task Force consultation which took place between 14 January and 10 March 2021 had been published by government and the next stage of this process would be a detailed operator timetable consultation for the timetable to be operated in 2022 and was due to be launched imminently.

Members were advised that TfGM were continuing to work with local communities and station groups on various projects in the region. Furthermore, TfGM were supporting the creation of a Community Rail Partnership on Manchester to Liverpool routes to fully exploit the leisure, economic and social opportunities which exist along the lines. TfGM were hoping to be able to hold its regular ‘Thank-You’ event on behalf of the Chair for station volunteer groups in January 2022.

Resolved  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

Verbal update from Rail Operators.

1. That the update be noted.
2. That it be noted that thirty out of ninety train stations across GM were currently without a station adopter scheme and members of the Committee be encouraged to signpost any suitable community groups to Northern to become station adopters.
3. That Northern provide further consideration to the re-introduction of Sunday services to and from Rose Hill train station in future timetable changes should there be a clear achievable balance between demand/resource and cost effectiveness.
4. That further assurance be requested from the Committee and sought by TfGM from Network Rail on behalf of passengers requiring support at Piccadilly Train station on final train cancellations.
5. That it be noted that Northern had received direct customer complaints in relation to last train cancellations and the subsequent approach of station staff at Piccadilly and it be agreed that Councillor Emma Taylor (Manchester) to provide direct complaint details to Chris Jackson (Northern) to ensure the significant issue was investigated further and direct feedback provided to customers.
6. That TPE provide further consideration to the suggestion by Councillor Clarke (Stockport) to the possibility of Anglo/Scottish services to Glasgow and Edinburgh stopping more regularly at Carstairs station.
7. That future timetable changes by TPE take into consideration the request raised by Councillor Haslam (Bolton) for all services between Manchester airport to Glasgow and Edinburgh to stop at Bolton train station should there be adequate capacity.

The Committee invited rail operators to provide feedback on train services in GM over the recent period.

Comments raised by operators included the following:

• Avanti West Coast – reported that performance had remained strong but recent severe delays were due to adverse weather conditions and work was underway with Network Rail to mitigate for the future.
  
  Demand was currently 65% of pre-Covid levels across the network with much of the split for leisure and the remainder for business which was reported to be increasing particularly on the Manchester to London route. The introduction of three different classes had increased popularity with standard premium being a popular product.
  
  

Timetable changes would see an uplift in services from December to three trains per hour on the Manchester to London service recognising the increased demand.

Members were informed that the Pendolino fleet were due to be refurbished which would include seating, wi-fi and carpeting. The first of the upgraded fleet would be in operation by the end of the year or early 2022 with the remainder programmed for completion by 2024. Alongside this, procurement for the new detached fleet was ongoing and would arrive in service in 2023/24 replacing Voyagers.

An overview of the work being undertaken at Stockport along with the community rail partnership project at Wigan station was provided. 

• Northern Rail – further detail on timetable changes to come into effect on 12 December were provided which included the addition of Sunday services which reflected the increase in demand. 
  
  Members were informed of operational decisions that would come into effect to manage increased demand around the Christmas period.
  
  There had been reported spikes of ASB around Manchester Oxford Rd, Brinnington and Bredbury stations. Resources were being targeted and support from BTP and GMP to address the issues was acknowledged.
  
  An update on the progress of the accessibility taskforce was provided and Members were informed that a 3D street view of stations along with virtual reality technology had been launched to enhance the experience for those with accessibility needs. 
  
  It was noted that thirty out of ninety train stations across GM were currently without a station adopter scheme and members of the Committee were encouraged to signpost any suitable community groups to Northern to become station adopters.
  
  Leisure patronage at the weekends was reported to be at similar levels pre pandemic, however demand for commuting was still somewhat suppressed at 75% pre-Covid levels further adding to the financial challenges across the industry. 
  
  Members welcomed the update and requested that further consideration to the re-introduction of Sunday services to and from Rose Hill train station in future timetable changes be provided should there be a clear achievable balance between demand/resource and cost effectiveness.
  
  Concern was raised with regards to complaints that had been received from the public by Members of the Committee in relation to train cancellations that had resulted in last train connection issues at Manchester Piccadilly station. Members were advised that Northern had received direct customer complaints in relation to last  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

Verbal update of Gary Bogan, Rail North Partnership Director

That the update be noted.

Gary Bogan, Director of the Rail North Partnership, TfN provided an overview of the partnership role of the organisation and in doing so acknowledged the work of operators, throughout the pandemic, to manage disruption and provide an achievable level of service and timetable for passengers.

An overview of the issues that had resulted in the development of the Manchester Recovery Taskforce and those organisations working in partnership to address the unacceptable levels of performance was provided.

Members were reminded that the initial consultation with regards to timetable changes ran between 14 January and 10 March 2021. The findings of the consultation had been published in October 2021 and the next stage of the process was a detailed operator timetable consultation for the timetable to be operated in 2022 which was due to be launched imminently.

Lesson learned from the previous round of consultation had been implemented and it was advised that funding would continue for the Manchester Recovery Taskforce on a more permanent basis.    

Resolved /-

That the update be noted.

Report of Gwynne Williams, Deputy Monitoring Officer, GMCA.

That the proposed work programme for the GM Transport Committee and its Sub Committees be noted.

The latest work programme for the GM Transport Committee was presented for approval.

Resolved /-

That the Work Programme be noted.

To consider future meeting dates for the Committee.

Friday 14 January 2022

Friday 11 March 2022

Meetings will commence at 10:30am

All meetings will commence at 10:30am

Resolved /-

Friday 14 January 2022

Friday 11 March 2022

All Meetings to commence at 10:30am