I commissioned Chris Gibb to provide me with advice on how to
deliver improvements to train services across the Govia
Thameslink Railway (GTR) franchise.
Chris Gibb’s report was undertaken between September and December
2016, at the height of industrial action on Southern. Indeed,
Chris Gibb found industrial action to be the major factor causing
disruption for passengers.
I’m pleased that since the new year, passengers have seen the
benefits of performance improvements on Southern. A 23 percentage
point increase in performance on Southern this year is
significant, and it is delivering passengers the reliable,
efficient rail service they deserve.
The department has published Chris Gibb’s
report today (22 June 2017). His 30 plus years of
experience in the rail industry meant he was uniquely placed to
offer this advice and I thank him for his contribution. This
report was due to be published in April, following the
department’s initial assessment of the recommendations
with GTR and Network Rail. The
pre-election period meant we could not release the report and
today’s publication is as soon after the election as possible.
Chris Gibb’s advice is a detailed, considered account of the
problems the network experienced last year, and his assessment of
the best means of addressing these factors now and for the
future.
Work is already underway to deliver on the recommendations of the
report.
For example, in January 2017, I announced £300 million for
Network Rail to improve rail infrastructure and resilience along
the Southern and Thameslink rail networks. This will underpin the
delivery of the Thameslink Programme, and the major region-wide
connectivity it will bring. GTR’s public consultation on
the Thameslink timetable is about to enter its next phase, we
look forward to hearing people’s views and ideas on service
timing and frequency.
Chris Gibb also recommended setting up a Thameslink Industry
Readiness Board, which we did in January this year, with him as
chair. Their role is to independently review, direct and
challenge the industry programme delivering Thameslink 2018.
Further work and assessment is needed from industry on a small
number of Chris Gibb’s recommendations. This reflects the fact
that his role was never to set out detailed business cases for
particular initiatives, or determine the impacts on public
spending.
In many respects, Chris Gibb’s advice aligns with the direction I
want the industry to take as rail travel increases. Passenger
journeys on Southern’s major routes into London have doubled in
the last 12 years. I wish to say directly to those passengers -
while I am pleased performance is improving - I understand that
last year you were let down by train services that simply were
not good enough. We took steps to improve compensation, but
ultimately we need services that meet your expectations - for
reliability, safety, comfort, cleanliness, and value for money -
and I am determined to take the necessary steps to deliver needed
improvements.
