Railway Magazine October 2018 Back Issue

THE announcement that Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has ordered a Rail Review comes as no surprise. It’s been very much overdue, given the increasing list of problems affecting passengers.

The Transport Select Committee (TSC) announced back in April – based upon evidence given in February – that in its view the franchising model was ‘broken’ so readers will probably ask why it has taken so long to see some action.

The trigger was undoubtedly the shambolic May timetable change, which occurred three weeks after the TSC report, and on which the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has just reported.

The ORR has pointed the finger at the industry, collectively blaming Network Rail, Govia Thameslink Railway, Northern and the Department for Transport, as well as admitting – as regulator – it also made mistakes.
In previous editorials, I’ve questioned whether franchising is still fit for purpose almost 25 years after it was conceived and poorly implemented.
So are changes on the horizon?

Leaving aside the failure of the Virgin East Coast franchise and delays in completing infrastructure changes and in introducing and approving new trains, another concerning problem is emerging – one of not enough bidders to create real competition for rail franchises.

Chris Grayling says this review will leave ‘no stone unturned’ and will make recommendations for the future. That’s a bold and courageous statement knowing how slow the rail industry can be to accept change and adapt, yet it seems nothing will be done to pacify beleaguered passengers in the meantime.

Remember the plan to trial a change in fares and eliminate split ticketing? It never happened because the industry wanted any fare changes to be ‘revenue neutral’, and no industry agreement could be reached.

With a past record of broken promises and inaction, Mr Grayling says reforms will be implemented from 2020...