On Sunday, 9 April 2017 14:41:57 UTC+1, Roland Perry wrote:
In message , at
05:42:21 on Sun, 9 Apr 2017, Paul Corfield remarked:

The only real crunch point is if the new timetables in 2018 prove to be
a complete disaster and then there will be monumental pressure GTR and
DfT to "do something". Until then I think GTR will be left to get on
with it.

And won't that be Network Rail's fault, rather than the train operators?

I think it could pan out in different ways. If GTR have not got stock reliability right in conjunction with Siemens or there are staff shortages or they can't manage dwell times properly then none of that is down to Network Rail. If East Midlands or Virgin EC have problems that then screw up GTR's operation then the root cause is not with GTR or NR. Ditto if the planned Gillingham (Kent) T'Link service is screwed by South Eastern failings like their trains conking out.

If points, traction current, track, signals etc fail then clearly that is with Network Rail. If the timetable is unworkable then I suspect it may not be solely down to NR. GTR and other TOCs may also be wrapped up in whatever mess there is as there must be an iterative process between TOCs and NR in constructing a viable timetable that aligns with franchise obligations and the ability to crew the stations.

--
Paul C
via Google