if only it worked like that in practicefrequently, companies underbid in order to get the franchise, and are then forced to either reduce service or demand money back from the government, which on many occasions they've got, as the government doesn't want to see the companies pull the plug. Even on the better managed franchises, the short term nature of the deal stops investment in new rolling stock.
(
Milkman Dan,
Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:44,
archived)
the timetable is predefine by network railand some base case scenarios are given, with all data held in a data room that is available to each company
the companies then do their rolling stock diagrams and then have to bid back for timetable changes
then they have to fit the crew into this
it is all rather complicated
edit: also, they don't all own their own rolling stock
(the companies then do their rolling stock diagrams and then have to bid back for timetable changes
then they have to fit the crew into this
it is all rather complicated
edit: also, they don't all own their own rolling stock
swaza I'm bad, I'm bad. You know it. I'm bad.,
Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:48,
archived)
this is trueand I also appreciate that Virgin Rail's main punctuality problem is New Street which isn't designed to cope with the weight of movements. That's not their fault, but they could still do a lot better
( Milkman Dan,
Wed 29 Nov 2006, 12:51,
archived)