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4. Performance of the transport networks
Figure 4.3
National Rail – public performance measure for London and South East
operators (moving annual average as at quarter four each year).
100%
98%
Public performance measure
96%
94%
92%
90%
88%
86%
84%
82%
80%
2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15
Source: Office of Rail and Road (ORR).
National Rail crowding
Crowding on National Rail is monitored using the DfT’s passengers in excess of
capacity (PiXC) measure. This compares planned capacity on services arriving in or
departing from central London against actual demand, with PiXC being the
difference between the two. Figure 4.4 shows PiXC results (for the morning peak
period only) from 2008 by train operator. In 2014 the PiXC value across all
operators (combined) increased to 5.4 per cent, up from around 4 per cent in the
previous four years. London Midland was the only operator to see a reduction in
crowding in the most recent year, down to 5.7 per cent from 7 per cent in 2013.
In the context of continuing strong growth in demand for rail services, significant
reductions in PiXC values for individual operators are usually associated with the
acquisition of new rolling stock and/or the provision of new services. Likewise,
where the network is relatively static, demand growth from year to year would tend
to drive a corresponding increase in PiXC values.
Although London Overground is notable for having PiXC values of zero for each of
the last five years, this measure only relates to the Euston-Watford services (other
parts of the Overground network are not measured for PiXC, as it is a measure
applicable to ‘radial’ commuter routes), and this line itself benefited from new
rolling stock, offering higher capacities, in 2010.
First Great Western services into London Paddington have the highest morning peak
PiXC values for the fifth consecutive year, and while the current level is better than
in 2010, the PiXC value increased from 9.7 per cent in 2013 to 13.5 per cent in
2014.
82 Travel in London, Report 8