This from a Mr Tony Miles...
I found this Transport Select Committee report from 2009
It makes interesting reading in the light of recent events…
Highlights in the section headed 'Rail franchising—on track?' include:
3. In our 2006 report on passenger rail
franchising, we concluded that the franchising system had failed to
fulfil its objectives, and that it was nothing short of a "policy
muddle". We were concerned that "the
drive to
extract premiums from some parts of the network will result in further
above-inflation fare increases and a deterioration in customer service,
investment and innovation". We argued
that the Government needed to "conduct a strategic review
of the long term needs of rail passengers, and an honest appraisal of
the structure best suited to fulfil these needs over the next several
decades". We urged the Government to ensure that this review be included in the 2007 Rail White Paper.
The Government failed to do so, telling us that the system was "delivering" both good services and value for money.
7. As we said three years ago, the current system of rail franchising is a muddle.
12. As we have noted in the past, the
process for awarding franchises along with the relative absence of
significant risks for franchise holders tend to fuel very optimisitc
bids.
19. The Government has argued that the difficulty of predicting revenue over 15 or 20 years militates against longer franchises,
21. The needs of passengers have not
always been properly catered for within rail franchising contracts. The
Government must ensure that franchises are more passenger-focused, and
that commitments within existing franchise contracts
are also enforced.
Eye commends this report to Richard Brown and hopes it will help inform his Review?
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