The Golden Whistles
Network Rail has acted to respond to the timetabling challenges faced in 2018, Chris Rowley, NR’s Capacity Planning Director, told the Golden Whistles conference.
Since privatisation the train planning function has been restructured three times. Mr Rowley noted all these models have a common challenge – separation from operator train planning teams, both in terms of physical location and the systems used.
The work of train planners is complex. Upon receipt of operator bids, the team works to deconflict timetables, perform validation checks and offer back an integrated timetable. The introduction of the new ITPS system at the time of the 2011 move to Milton Keynes has not automated these activities in the way it was hoped.
The Milton Keynes move led to a loss of stafffrom NR’s train planning function in 2011-12. A number of attempts have been made to redress this but in December 2017 a large-scale recruitment and retention programme was launched. A key issue is that training new train planners is a lengthy process, and it can take up to nine months before they are in a position to add value.
By the end of March, the recruitment programme will have brought in 112 additional planners, a…
