why is my train not called late by central trains when it is 14 minutes behind the timetable?

Question

the train is 14 minutes late but not classed as late by central trains, recently in japan we travelled on the bullet train, if it is six seconds behind it is classed as late, 25 seconds behind they hold a enquiry, do you think central trains should recruit some japanese railway workers to sort out the problems

Answer 1

I am also a Signaller with Network Rail and I can vouch for the OB kings explanation on this matter. However, for you, the passenger, to be told that a train is not late when it clearly is, is an insult and down right rude by the staff who suggested such a thing!

Answer 2

Keavan M's answer is wrong. I am a signaller for Network Rail. Any train that is 3 minutes late or more is bound by penalties, anything under this need not be explained or penalised.

In answer to the original question. This is what is called PPM or Public Performance Measure.

Let me explain:

An express train with limited stops is known in the industry as a class 1 train. Each one of these is identified to a signaller as 1L99 for example. The last 3 digits would vary on every train dependant on where it is going. These trains have priority above most other trains. The PPM for class 1 trains is 10 minutes, meaning that if it arrived at its destination and ran it's full route with 10 minutes delay, it would be classed as on time.

A train calling at all stations is known as a class 2 train (2L99). These are classed as on time against the PPM if they run their full route and arrive with 5 minutes delay.

I have no idea why the train operating companies and Network Rail brought in this method but they have. I'm just the monkey trying to run the trains with these silly regulations put in place! Hope this explains enough. If not, IM me.

The Public Performance Measure methology explanation link is given below, this is from Network Rails website.

Answer 3

Don't equate Japanese bullet trains which run on specially segregated tracks with Central Trains in the UK which provides a service on very crowded lines, with infrastructure that dates from the 19th century. Having said that, I'm surprised that 14 minutes is not considered late. You need to consult the passenger's charter at:- http://www.centraltrains.co.uk/upload/legacyImages/charter.pdf
This provides for compensation when trains are more than 20 minutes late. Blame successive Governments (a) for the stupidity of rail privatisation and (b) for letting these companies get away with things like that.

Further, you don't say where you use Central Trains, but part of its franchise area, including the West Midlands, is being taken over by a new franchisee from November, the Govia group, who will operate under the 'London Midland' brand see:- http://www.londonmidland.com/index.html

Answer 4

The OB king has answered this question succinctly.(well done you....at least it's clearer than cognisco! The reason central-trains has such a poor performance record would have much to do with the services it runs.
CT runs trains in some of the most overused and overcrowded railway outside London with very little headway between trains(the time one train follows another).
If one train becomes delayed then there is a cumulative knock -on effect especially across a network which has a lot of junctions or crosses other railway operators terratory.

Answer 5

Personally I do not know why 14 minutes is not classed as late! I know that If a signaller delays a train by 3 minutes he/she get in trouble by their manager as Network Rail has to pay the railway company if they cause the delay.
Also Trains in the UK are supposed to close their doors 30 seconds before departure, but its up to the Train Dispatch person to signal the driver that he can close the doors. Also you get customers who think it cleaver to hold open the doors or stand in them so they do not shut, which cause delays.
Do not forget that these days 90% of the UK trains run on time & that the other 10% are either delayed or caneled, because of varous other problems (like drivers not turning up for their shift or train failures)

Answer 6

A train that is over 1 minute LATE in this country is subject to a fine by Network Rail, unless of course it is Network Rails fault then the TOC's can claim against them. A train that is late can be diverted, cancelled short of the original destination or required to miss out stations if another service will call at those stations. Central trains are one of the worse operators on the TOC list.
As for comparing the Japanese Railway system to the UK one, its the same old story, remember most of the good railway systems where rebuilt in the early 1950's courtesy of the RAF and USAAF, if ours had been blasted to bits during the war then we too would have had a modern system. Also they do not have the strict safety laws (look at their overcrowding issue!) nor do they have the strict working practice that our railways have.

Answer 7

Our railways are shockingly inefficient in comparison with the best networks in the world. I believe the Japanese bullet trains only stop at stations for 30 seconds - if you haven't boarded the train in that time, you are left standing on the platform. I can't imagine sloppy old Britain adopting a system as super-efficient as that!

Answer 8

Don't worry, after 11th November everything will run on time.

It is on this date (at 0201, I believe), that Central Trains will cease to exist, to be replaced by West Midlands, East Midlands and New Cross Country franchises.

I can't wait.

Answer 9

Central Trains are notoriously bad. Even the staff moan about them. Now THAT'S bad!!

Answer 10

Probably something to do with statistics. "95% of our trains are never late". Just as a matter of interest, what DO they class it as then?