SO, AFTER 24 years, franchising has finally ended.
Train operators will now have to work under tough new contracts known as Emergency Recovery Measures Agreements or can go down the road of negotiating their exit from the rail market.
Since Covid-19 took hold, life for everyone, including how we undertake the simplest tasks, has changed - possibly forever.
Under the proposals in the Williams report, the preference was a move to concession, where a fixed fee is paid. However, the new emergency agreements come with far tougher terms and penalties for late or dirty trains. Such agreements give the operator far less latitude than hitherto enjoyed, and raises a question as to how many current companies plan to stay in railways for a measly maximum of 1.5% of the cost base of the franchise before the pandemic began?
The Treasury is calling the shots because so much financial support is still needed. One TOC managing director has said the future is going to be 'bruising' for some operators as there will be many more hoops to jump through.