ORR
Relentless focus has to be maintained John Larkinson, Chief Executive of ORR, on the need to adapt, change and grow
T
he Chief Executive of the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) says that the focus on the core efficiency of Network Rail should not be lost amid the ongoing impact and repercussions of COVID-19. John Larkinson, talking to RailDirector in the week that the regulator’s mid-year report praising Network Rail’s COVID-19 response while raising concerns on capacity planning and approach to timetabling was published, said that rail should “never lose focus on the absolute essentials.” He continued: “In 2019-20, for first time in eight years, Network Rail hit its efficiency targets which is such a big deal, and I can’t overstate how important that is for the rail industry’s credibility. We’re talking about enormous levels of expenditure and for many years those efficiency targets were not met.
Even in 2020, that most difficult of years, it looks like they’ll hit their targets. Now there can’t be any ifs and buts – there has to be relentless focus “If you’re seeking public funding you are jeopardising your position if you do not meet your targets. You talk to the Treasury and quite reasonably they ask whether this public sector company is actually delivering efficiently. “Why would they put more money into a business if it wasn’t? ORR has spent a significant amount of time and energy developing new indicators on delivery and getting Network Rail focused and now they are. Even in 2020, that most difficult of years, it looks like they’ll hit their targets. Now there can’t be any ifs and buts – there has to be relentless focus.” Reflecting on the first half of 2020-21, the midyear report praised Network Rail’s timetable planners for their extraordinary work in delivering four major timetable changes in six months during a very challenging time. ORR also highlighted 16 | January 2021
the dedication of Network Rail’s workforce in delivering vital maintenance works to ensure the continuation of safe operations and its continued focus to deliver planned maintenance and renewals work in a challenging environment. However, ORR raised concerns about plans to deliver 2021 timetables in a significantly more condensed timeframe than the industry’s established timescales, calling for greater assurance that it has fully considered the risks of this condensed approach, with reference to
passengers being able to plan their journeys with confidence as they return in greater numbers to travel by train. Network Rail improvements ORR has also required Network Rail to improve the promptness, accuracy and transparency of how it conducts capacity allocation, so that operators and ORR can make informed decisions about potential new services for passengers and freight. railbusinessdaily.com
