Supplementary memorandum submitted by
Merseytravel
During my recent appearance before the Committee
as part of their inquiry into Passenger Rail Franchising, I promised
some additional details on Merseyrail's fare structure and some
key statistics on the network.
FARES
Merseyrail comprises the Northern and Wirral
Lines. Our regulated fares can be increased overall by RPI only,
and individually regulated fares by only RPI+2%. By specifying
this arrangement in our agreement with Serco/NedRailways, we have
maintained total local control over rail fares and have, as a
result, announced the smallest fare rises of any UK train operator
for the next year in 2005—an average of just 2.9%.The average
cash fare on the Merseyrail Electrics system is currently £1.95
in peak time and £1.48 for off-peak travel.
With fares being governed by Merseytravel, we
have the ability to deliver some limited demand management on
the most popular services. Merseyrail Electrics' fares policy
has also ensured that rail is a feasible alternative to bus as
a regular mode of transport in the region.
Services outside the Merseyrail Electrics service
are governed by the national fares policy, making them more vulnerable
to higher cost increases. On the Northern Rail service and other
services into the region, an overall fare increased of RPI + 1
is allowed with individual fare increases of up to RPI + 6. This
makes fares more varied compared with those offered on the Merseyrail
Electrics service.
The Merseyrail Electrics ticketing structure
provides a fair structure for local people, and the policy to
maintain fares at RPI levels ensures accessibility to everyone,
regardless of their economic circumstances.
STATISTICS
Number of stations
There are 66 stations on the network.
Number of stations with "Secure Station"
accreditation
40% of Merseyrail stations have Secure Station
accreditation. 10% of all secure stations in the country are on
the Merseyrail network.
Stations granted such status include:
| Aigburth |
Hoylake |
New Brighton |
| Aintree |
Hunts Cross |
Old Roan |
| Aughton Park | Kirkby | Orrell Park
|
| Birkenhead Central | Kirkdale
| Ormskirk |
| Bromborough | Liverpool Central
| Port Sunlight |
| Bromborough Rake | Liverpool James St
| Rice Lane |
| Brunswick | Liverpool Lime St (low level)
| St Michaels |
| Cressington | Liverpool Moorfields
| Town Green |
| Eastham rake | Maghull |
Wallasery Grove Rd |
| Fazakerley | Manor Road |
Wallasey Village |
| Hamilton Square | Meols |
Walton |
| Hooton | Moreton | West Kirby
|
| | |
The Safer Car Parking Scheme is sponsored by the DfT in association
with the British Parking Association and is similar to the Secure
Station Scheme.
10 car parks have been accredited with Safer Parking Status:
Punctuality
Typically before the concession agreement was in place, punctuality
had been as low as 86 PPM (Public Performance Measure) but we
are now delivering a PPM in excess of 95.
Trains
There are 59 units in the fleet covering the Northern and
Wirral Line services, of which 47 are required for peak period
operation. The entire fleet has recently undergone a major refurbishment
programme which was completed during 2005.
All trains now have new interiors and seats, passenger information
displays, CCTV, additional bicycle spaces and better facilities
for disabled passengers.
Passenger growth
There are now over two million more passenger journeys per
year since Serco/NedRailways took over the 25 year concession.
Passenger journeys for 2002-03, the last year before the
Concession and for the subsequent years.
| Merseyrail |
| |
| Northern | Wirral
| Total |
| 2002-03 | 15.44 | 11.61
| 27.05 |
| 2003-04 | 15.90 | 11.94
| 27.84 |
| 2004-05 | 16.54 | 12.00
| 28.54 |
| 2005-06 | 17.15 | 12.04
| 29.19 |
| | | |
|
Delays
If we consider the cancellation attribution data over the
past year, it is clear that there remain problems with the infrastructure
which come under the control of Network Rail. Most of the delays
on the Merseyrail network can be attributed to infrastructure
failures.
| Staffing | Fleet
| Track/Signal | Other
|
| 6 | 33 | 6
| 10 |
| 1 | 17 | 19
| 36 |
| 6 | 29 | 15
| 35 |
| 7 | 26 | 22
| 20 |
| 1 | 4 | 16
| 2 |
| 2 | 6 | 20
| 6 |
| 7 | 23 | 35
| 10 |
| 4 | 19 | 14
| 1 |
| 3 | 9 | 30
| 6 |
| 3 | 18 | 139
| 17 |
| 8 | 8 | 128
| 23 |
| 27 | 73 | 42
| 29 |
| 1 | 12 | 6
| 10 |
| 5 | 38 | 97
| 72 |
| | | |
|
Investment
As I explained during the course of my oral evidence, one
of the key benefits of the awarding of a 25-tear franchise is
the amount of locally-focussed investment which we can deliver.
Not only does the franchise length provide an incentive for Serco/NedRailways
to invest, as they have a long enough period to make a return
on their money, but we also ensure that the investment is directed
to where it is needed
The tables below provide a brief overview of the projects
which Merseytravel has been involved with over the past few years
and the improvements delivered on the Merseyrail network.
| Liverpool South Parkway | £32.0 million
|
| Refurbishment of Merseyrail Fleet | £34.2 million
|
| Station Design | £400,000
|
| Formby Interchange | £550,000
|
| Kirkby Interchange | £600,000
|
| Maghull car park* | £600,000
|
| Birkdale car park | £500,000
|
| Hoylake improvements | £750,000
|
| Underground station concourse upgrade | £750,000
|
| |
* In progress, completion shortly.
City Line Improvement
| Whiston Interchange | £300,000
|
| Refurbishment of St Helens Central Design and initial work construction work*
| £1 million |
| Lime Street CCTV | £100,000
|
| Lime Street Gateway** | £1.5 million
|
| |
* A further £5 million will be spent on St Helens Central.
** Commences in September 2006.
I would like to thank the Committee for allowing Merseytravel
to give evidence as part of this inquiry and should the Committee
require any additional information then please feel free to contact
me.
2 August 2006
| 
