Go-Ahead blames Railtrack for the train timetables 'doomed to failure'

Go-Ahead, the operator of the Thameslink, Thames Trains and South Central rail franchises, admitted yesterday that its timetables were "doomed to fail" from the moment it began running services each day.

The company said that punctuality on its much-criticised Thameslink City Flier service between Brighton and Bedford was now worse compared with a year ago although there had been slight improvements in the performance of Thames Trains and South Central.

Go-Ahead blamed the timetabling problems on Railtrack saying 75 per cent of delays on Thameslink were attributable to the network infrastructure operator.

Chris Moyes, Go-Ahead's deputy chief executive, disclosed that it had called on expert help from its partner on the Thameslink franchise, the state-owned French rail operator SNCF, to help resolve the timetabling nightmare. "The timetable is almost doomed to failure from the moment we start services in the morning," he said.

He was speaking as Go-Ahead, which also runs buses and provides aviation support services at most major airports, reported a 3 per cent increase in pre-tax profits to £49.4m for the year to the end of June. The shares rose 7 per cent on the better-than-expected figures.

Go-Ahead is seeking approval from the Strategic Rail Authority to extend the length of trains and platforms on its Thameslink franchise to help relieve acute capacity constraints.

Mr Moyes denied that the SRA's decision to cut its newly-acquired South Central franchise from 20 to seven years and take direct responsibility for a £750m upgrade amounted to a vote of no confidence in Go-Ahead and said that the impact on the company would be beneficial. "Train operating companies are not geared up to lead major construction projects. This will allow us to concentrate on genuine train operating issues."

Turnover from the three rail franchises more than doubled to £509m but profits fell marginally to £17.4m.

Bus profits rose 10 per cent to £33m. Mr Moyes said the introduction of London Mayor Ken Livingstone's £5 congestion charge next spring could lift passenger numbers on its two bus operations in the capital by 10 to 15 per cent.