Virgin Trains submitted evidence to the Transport Committee making the following key points:

• Our core aim is to maintain services as close to the advertised services as possible, rather than making an early switch to emergency timetables. This may have an adverse impact on our performance statistics. However, we firmly believe our approach gives our customers confidence about making journeys and reduces conflicting information appearing in different channels. 
• We are a learning organisation, and our plans for snow and icy conditions are re-visited regularly to take account of experience. Our winterisation plan for trains and stations is reviewed annually and re briefed to front line teams in late summer.
• Social media plays an increasing part in keeping customers up-to-date during disruption and we will shortly be able to provide social media coverage for the entire period of train operation.