Wednesday April 11 2006 – Press Release from
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STOURBRIDGE LIGHTWEIGHT RAIL SERVICE EXCEEDS 98% SERVICE PERFORMANCE
Branch line operation with the Parry People Movers light Railcar is among the most reliable rail services in the UK
Pre Metro Operations Ltd (PMOL) has reported performance figures for its Sunday service on the Stourbridge Town branch line in the West Midlands that show punctuality is among the best of all train operators in Great Britain.
The licensed train operator has run services between Stourbridge Junction and Stourbridge Town since 11th December 2005, using a revolutionary, environmentally friendly PPM 50 Light Railcar supplied by Parry People Movers Ltd (PPM). The service is under close scrutiny as it is the first ever use of a PPM railcar in public service on Network Rail tracks. Commentators have been keen to see whether such an innovative vehicle could provide a completely dependable service. A total of 82 journeys are timetabled to run between the two stations every Sunday and the railcar has now performed over 1,200 trips in public service.
PMOL's figures show that during the first 16 Sundays of passenger operation, 97.8% of timetabled journeys were operated and 98.5% of journeys were punctual.
Since the start of March 2006, 100% of advertised journeys have run and 99.4% were punctual.
The Stourbridge service clearly shows the advantages of simplicity in rail operation. The branch line is operated entirely separately from the rest of the national rail network. Nonetheless, the introduction of an entirely new mode of rail transport could have given problems. (The best-performing franchised train operator - on the Isle of Wight, with 98.0% punctuality in the latest published statistics - is also a simple, segregated system.)
"These results are as good as we could hope to expect," said Phil Evans, Chief Executive of Pre Metro Operations Ltd. "Obviously we - and others - had concerns about introducing a new type of railcar on to the Network Rail system, although extensive tests and trials on other railways gave us confidence. What is clear is that the reliability of public transport - which the public need if they are going to use it - needs the operation to be right for the situation, which is the case here. We're now looking at other locations where the same approach could be adopted."
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
1. COMPANY: Pre Metro Operations Ltd bridges the gap between traditional railways, light rail/tramways and bus operation. PMOL's team is qualified to provide integrated transport services and innovative approaches to rail transport, including the use of new technologies such as the vehicles supplied by Parry People Movers Ltd.
2. ACHIEVEMENTS: PMOL is a licensed train operator and the first in the UK to run non-electrified lightweight rolling stock on the Network Rail system. It has obtained authority from Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate and Network Rail to operate the new passenger service on the Stourbridge Town branch.
3. PMOL operates a full day service on Sundays between Stourbridge Junction and Stourbridge Town stations (first service departs Stourbridge Junction at 09.36, last service departs Stourbridge Town at 19.55). There are four departures per hour in each direction from 10.20, with a reduced-frequency service at the beginning of the day. Standard rail fares of 80p for adults and 40p for children apply, and a PMOL Day ticket gives unlimited travel between the two stations for a day for £2. Tickets can be purchased from on-board staff; valid rail tickets and travel passes are accepted.
4. The passenger operation on the Stourbridge Town branch is supported by Centro (the West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive) and the Strategic Rail Authority's Community Rail programme (now administered by the Department for Transport).
5. Limited public services ran on December 11 and 18, 2005. Full-day services were introduced on January 8 2006.
6. PMOL Sunday services were officially launched at a ceremony on 5th February 2006 by Stourbridge MP Lynda Waltho.
7. The PMOL operation gives the Stourbridge Town branch its first regular Sunday service since 1915.
8. Punctuality for non-intercity train services is defined as arriving at the destination within five minutes of advertised arrival time. The PMOL service frequently waits a few minutes past timetabled departure time to ensure connections with main line trains at Stourbridge Junction.
9. Parry People Movers rail vehicles offer the quality of modern light rail transport without the need for electrical power supply, giving excellent environmental performance and energy efficiency at lower cost than conventional technology. The same technology can be used on railways or urban tramways. PPM vehicles are designed to be fully compliant with accessibility regulations.
FURTHER INFORMATION: Please contact –
John Parry, Chairman, Pre Metro Operations Ltd,
Overend Road,
Cradley Heath,
West Midlands
B64 7DD.
Telephone: +44 (0)1384 569553.
OR
Mr Phil Evans, Chief Executive, Pre Metro Operations Ltd,
21 Woodglade Croft,
King's Norton,
Birmingham
B38 8TD
Telephone/Fax: +44 (0)121 243 9906.
E-mail: premetro@aol.com
Website: www.premetro.co.uk
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