1. Investment for growth and reliability.
The rapid growth in passenger numbers, particularly in the peak hours to and from Leeds, has not been matched by investment in additional train or infrastructure capacity, resulting in serious overcrowding. Despite a detailed analysis of anticipated future demand submitted by WRUG, the Yorkshire and Humber Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS) recommended only a very modest improvement to peak hour services, inadequate to meet in full either short or longer term growth forecasts, and no improvement to off-peak or weekend services. WRUG therefore still seeks;
1. Additional rolling stock to provide on trains arriving at Leeds between 07.30 and 09.00 an extra 300 seats as soon as possible, a further 500 seats by 2016/17 and up to a further 750 seats over the following 9 years to 2026, with matching capacity improvements in the evening peak but spread over a longer departure slot.
2. Simple, minimum cost infrastructure improvements to allow an enhanced train plan, which should include improved signalling between Guiseley and Ilkley to permit 4/5 minute headways and platform lengthening at selected stations.
3. A capacity study of the routes between Apperley, Esholt and Dockfield Junctions to determine the optimum layout to meet longer term growth and improve reliability.
4. Improved information and control systems to allow better recovery from, and timely information to passengers about, major delays and incidents.
2. A Timetable to meet passenger demands.
1. To provide the necessary capacity and to match extended working hours the Leeds weekday peak hour service needs retiming to give an earlier first departure from Ilkley to make possible a London arrival before 09.00 and to give a better spread of trains, with intervals no greater than 20 minutes for arrivals at Leeds between 0730 and 0900 and departures between 17.00 and 19.00. The present pattern of Bradford services is generally satisfactory, but more capacity is required between Baildon and Guiseley in the morning for scholars
2. The present weekday off-peak pattern of two trains per hour to/from Leeds and Bradford should be maintained, and arranged to give as close as possible an even interval service between Ilkley and Guiseley. Half-hourly service from Leeds to be extended until 21.00 hours: last train from Leeds to provide connection from London no earlier than the present 20.30 departure
3. To meet changed demands at weekends, the half hourly pattern of service from Ilkley should start from 07.00 on Saturdays. On Sundays, the daytime Bradford-Ilkley frequency should be hourly and consideration should also be given to increasing frequency to Leeds to half-hourly during shopping hours (10.00-17.00). Earlier first departures are required from Ilkley and Leeds to give connections at Leeds into 09.40 departure to London, at Shipley into first Settle and Carlisle departure and at Ilkley into first Dales Bus departures
4. Standard journey times should be no greater than 29 minutes to/from Leeds, and 32 minutes to/from Bradford.
5. Timetable should be planned to maximise connections at Shipley, primarily for passengers making journeys between Baildon and Leeds, but also for those travelling between Wharfedale and Airedale line stations.
6. At a minimum, any additional rolling stock should deliver the performance, accessibility and passenger comfort specifications of the current four car Class 333. Increased capacity for cycles should be provided when current rolling stock becomes due for major overhaul or replacement.
3. Performance Targets
The Wharfedale and Airedale lines are operated by modern rolling stock with a self contained service pattern and are able to achieve more demanding performance targets than the current global franchise targets. We therefore seek that:
1. The punctuality target should be raised to achieve 96% on time or within five minutes.
2. The reliability target should be not less than 99.5%.
3. Seats should be available for all passengers, except between Guiseley and Leeds at peak periods when a loading of 20% in excess of seating capacity may be planned.
4. Published specific standards are set for train cleaning, to ensure that trains receive regular heavy cleaning, enter service fully cleaned and that light cleaning/litter removal is given between peaks.
4. Station Facilities
To provide a clean, safe and welcoming approach to passengers, WRUG seeks that all stations on the Wharfedale Line (Baildon to Ilkley inclusive) should have:
1. Ticket Offices and/or Ticket machines adequate to cope with peak demand, with machines on each platform at busier locations where access between platforms involves steps, and improved maintenance of ticket machines to reduce out of service frequency.
2. Enclosed and heated waiting shelters, high intensity lighting and monitored security CCTV and public phones for rail service information and emergency use.
3. Fully operational high resolution screens and effective PA systems providing accurate real-time information
4. Clear standardised signage of station facilities and provision of up to date local maps, bus information and taxi phone numbers.
5. Secure, covered storage for cycles.
6. Regular cleaning of buildings, waiting areas and platforms. The continued provision of effective rubbish containers, and their regular emptying, should be a priority.
7. Regular attention to platform surfaces and footbridges, to provide a safe environment at all times, particularly during adverse weather conditions.
In addition, we seek
8. (i) The development of nationally compatible smart card ticketing systems to go hand-in hand with the provision of more effective barrier systems with high-flow capacity at Leeds and Bradford Forster Square. These and more frequent on train ticket checks would assist in prevention of ticketless travel and provision of more accurate station usage statistics.
(ii) A review of station staffing and mobile security arrangements, to enable accreditation of our stations under the Safe Stations Scheme and to counter passengers’ negative perceptions of the safety of evening travel.
5. Accessibility issues
The Group expects the franchisee to provide good access for elderly, disabled and encumbered passengers at all locations and on all trains; this must include
1. Rolling stock that meets in full the requirements of current accessibility legislation
2. Proper signage of location of level access.
3. Easy well graded access between platforms at all stations
6. Car Parking
There is a serious shortage of parking spaces at all stations on the Line, exacerbated by the lack of proper bus connections. Solutions are likely to require considerable investment because of the lack of adjacent available land. The Group wishes to see a specific development programme agreed between the franchisee and Metro to create extra capacity and enhance safety and security.
At the same time, encouragement should be given to walking and cycling to stations, which would require a modest investment in safe walking routes and increased cycle storage at stations.
7. Improving Access to the Line
1. To encourage use of the Line given the lack of car parking makes it essential that local feeder bus services are improved, particularly for Otley, which is the largest community in the area without a rail link and where major housing development is forecast.
2. The existing Menston-Otley bus link should therefore be enhanced and extended to serve the areas of Otley north of the Wharfe. New bus links are required to link Baildon station with the upper town, within Ilkley itself and linking Ilkley to Addingham and Upper Wharfedale.
3. Rail-Link bus services should be specifically timed to connect with trains and have flexibility to wait for limited periods in the event of late running. Multi and single journey tickets should be available to give seamless transfer between train and rail-link buses and vice-versa.
4. A combined local bus and rail timetable should be available for Wharfedale, giving better publicity for leisure and tourism travel.
Peter Wilkinson, Chair
Peter Johnson, Secretary
Wharfedale Rail Users' Group: July 2010
www.wrug.ilkley.org