Disruption caused by strong winds and heavy rain – Passenger Focus response

27 December 2013

Responding to the disruption to train services caused by strong winds and heavy rain, David Sidebottom, acting chief executive of Passenger Focus, said:

“The weather has caused significant disruption to train passengers recently. Passenger Focus welcomes train companies’ efforts to be clear to passengers about the timetable they will run when dreadful weather is forecast. On some occasions train companies have announced that services will start up significantly later in the day than normal, effectively ruling out commuters getting to work by train. We welcome the efforts that have gone into maintaining services in difficult conditions, but does the rail industry need to better understand what passengers want in these situations, from precautionary timetable reductions through to more drastic service changes?”