This from Passenger Transport...
The Rail Delivery Group, the Department for Transport and franchise
owning groups have begun initial discussions which could lead to train
operating companies purchasing new trains directly rather than leasing
them from the ROSCOs (rolling stock leasing companies).
Good news indeed.
Anything that emasculates those with a long term interest in the industry, whilst benefiting "thinly capitalised equity profiteers of the worst kind" has to be a good idea (Is this right? Ed).
Apparently First Group is already chomping at the bit to buy new rolling stock for its Great Western franchise.
According to Tim O'Toole, CEO of First Group:
“We need more trains, and we’ve made this plain to the government, and
they have got to allow this to happen”.
Quite so Tim and with First Group finances in such robust health it seems such a shame that Dai Woodham is no longer in business.
UPDATE: This from Leo Pink...
Has DfT Permanent Secretary Philip Rutnam taken a leaf from the General Galtieri Book of Political Strategems?
With his department's expensive in-house procurement of IEP and Thameslink rolling stock under fire, how better to deflect criticism than attacking those nasty people in trade - the 'expensive' ROSCOs.
UPDATE: This from Ithuriel...
At a recent meeting of the Rail Delivery Group one topic rasied was:
Rolling stock – issues emerging on value for money.
Can it be that they have woken up to the ludicrous cost of the Great Western and East Coast Ninky Nonk train ?
Probably not. We suspect that the real concern is the blood-sucking rentals being charged by the Roscos for err.. Pacers.
