As the recession continues to bite it is not only the Train Operating Companies who are feeling the pain.
ATOC is believed to be looking to reduce headcount by 15% - a move which has been welcomed by its cash strapped TOC members.
Of course whilst thousands of jobs are being shed by the passenger facing railway the paper-pushers of Whitehall sleep safe in their beds.
Despite costing the industry many millions of pounds there are no equivalent headcount reductions planned by the Department for Transport and Office of Rail Regulation.
Alas.
Such a head in the sand approach to economic realities resulted in stormy scenes at a recent meeting between owner groups and the ORR.
When pressed on when it might reduce its bloated headcount the ORR made a half hearted offer to reduce staff numbers by 5%... over five years!
Unfortunately, for reasons of taste, it is not possible to print the industry's response to this generous offer.
