Virgin Trains is now confident that Network Rail will complete all planned work on the WCML over the Christmas holidays on schedule, reports Tony Miles, in contrast to the significant over-run at Rugby last year. Virgin's 'Blockbuster' service operating between Birmingham and London Euston via the Chiltern route will run on only two days over the forthcoming holiday period.rnThere is also confidence that NR will be able to maintain WCML infrastructure to the required standard, despite the move to a full weekend timetable from December 14, after which the only time available for daylight patrolling will be on Sunday mornings.rnHowever, there is continuing concern that performance is still below the level required to support the new Virgin High Frequency timetable. Virgin has recentlyrnbeen achieving a PPM score of 82.1%, whereas 90% is the aspiration to allow for the inevitable drop in reliability as service frequency is stepped up.
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