An industry-wide review of train timetabling is taking place with a stand-alone different timetable on Mondays one of the options being discussed.
Executives are also looking at more frequent minor adjustments to timetables to meet the changing pattern of travel including the new-look working week.
A clear pattern of rail use has emerged over the last six months as Covid restrictions eased and more people returned to working in their offices.
Data from within the Train Operating Companies confirms that there are more people travelling by train on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays than on Mondays and Fridays. One operator has reported 100,000 more passengers on a Thursday than a Monday.
“There could be a scenario where Monday has a different timetable to Thursday”
Rail industry executive
Timetable planners are now responding to the emerging demand. One senior executive said: “We are trying to work out what train services are needed to meet the emerging demand. There could be a scenario where Monday has a different timetable to Thursday.”
They are keen to ensure that train services meet the requirements of the post-pandemic world. Demand for trains remains high at the weekends with a big increase on Sundays even though total numbers mean it is still the quietest day of the week.
The fundamental changes brought about by Covid even extend to discussions about arranging future improvement works for weekdays rather than weekends in order to minimise disruption.
There are also marked changes to the peak times on different days with the Thursday evening peak now stretched out over a longer period than other days. The thinking within train operators is that “Thursday is the new Friday” marking the end of the working week (or at least the ‘working in the office’ week) for many people. Colleagues are going out or socialising on Thursday evenings which means the demand for trains is spread right throughout the evening rather than being focused on the 4-6pm timeslot.
Covid and the imposition of national lockdowns forced a rapid response from train operators. Some of that collaboration and flexible thinking has continued. The rail industry as a whole has come together to look at timetabling.
Timetable changes are normally planned months, if not years, in advance.
Now, alongside the regular summer and winter changes, the rail industry is considering more frequent minor timetable adjustments to respond to changing patterns of behaviour. The next timetable changes will take place on Sunday 12 December and the following alterations are due in May 2022 – but if new patterns of travel emerge, then train operators are prepared to make interim adjustments.
The demand for rail travel is there – the latest Department for Transport statistics provisionally suggest a new high of 76% of pre-Covid rail use recorded on Monday 8 November. If that continues, then an industry not renowned for being speedy or reactive will have to show it is up to speed on responding to what passengers want.