Planned customer improvements range from new live train occupancy information through to a package of station improvements.
With customer numbers still below pre-pandemic levels, SWR has also announced that it is deferring its planned
The plan sets out in detail what the company expects to achieve this year in eight key areas: customer and communities, accessibility, train service operation, environment and sustainability, leadership, management and resourcing, collaboration, people and workforce, and revenue.
Notable commitments set out in SWR's 2022/3 business plan include:
Rolling out live train occupancy information on the class 444, 450 and 15X fleets
Boosting Wi-Fi provision across the fleet, introducing superfast connections in some locations
Delivering a comprehensive package of station improvements, including toilets, waiting rooms, benches and anti-trespass measures
A package of station accessibility improvements including installing induction loops, accessible toilet and additional wide aisle gatelines
Developing plans to achieve net zero
Signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant
Appointing a fraud investigation team to crack down on digital, electronic or systemic fraud
Under its National Rail Contract, SWR receives a fixed fee from the
SWR's business plan comes at a challenging time for the rail industry, with customer numbers still below pre-Covid levels and the taxpayer continuing to heavily subsidise the railway to provide vital connections for customers and communities.
Over the past twelve weeks, SWR has seen its overall customer journeys stabilise at 70% of pre-Covid levels. While off peak travel has returned strongly to 100% of pre-Covid trips, commuters have been slower to return making just 53% of the peak journeys they did before the pandemic.
In light of these figures and the ongoing cost challenge facing the rail industry, SWR, Network Rail and the
Instead, SWR will continue with its current service levels in December, with a limited number of targeted interventions to optimise services where demand has returned quickest. SWR and Network Rail will continue to monitor customer behaviour and act with agility to meet increased demand, subject to funding being agreed with the
Commenting, SWR's Managing Director,
'Our new business plan does just this, striking the right balance between reducing the cost to taxpayers, who have subsidised the railway to the tune of
'Alongside our business plan, we have made the joint decision with the
Contact:
The
Tel: +44 (0)20 7725 3354
Email: corporate.comms@firstgroup.co.uk
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