This from Sir Charles Trevelyan...
Given the lack of a published remit for Richard Brown might I volunteer the following?
Eye readers will no doubt have their own thoughts which they may wish to add?
Brown Review Remit
Review the rail franchising
programme, and determine the changes which are necessary to ensure that;
- Government’s value for money is secured;
- The appropriate balance of financial risk transfer to the private sector is achieved;
- Innovation, efficiency, modal shift and growth is promoted;
- The competitive market for bidding is enhanced, with a particular focus on encouraging new entrants and smaller players;
- The best outcome for customers is secured
- How the bidding process can be simplified and shortened to reduce costs;
- The balance between detailed specification of outputs, efficiency, and risk
- Whether alternative models have a role in some, or all, franchise areas. This should include, although not be limited to;
-
Operating
concessions, where funders retain revenue risk and control of specified outputs
-
Devolution to local
and sub national consortia – noting that this could operate on a franchise or
concession basis
-
Longer operating
licences for commercial franchise propositions, based around an annual fee or
tariff
-
An extension of the
DOR concept
In conducting the review, cognisance should be taken of the previous work on franchise reform, and in the McNulty study. The wider rail industry should be given the opportunity to contribute its ideas to the work.
Further contributions welcome.
UPDATE: This forthright suggestion from Sinoda...
If soon to be Baron Brown of the Broom Cupboard is short of suggestions, perhaps the question oft-posed by 'The World's Greatest Living Transport Correspondant' could be addressed as follows?
"What is franchising for?"
Better known as the 'Wolmar Question'.
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