‘Resilience not cuts’ says Heaton-Harris as Treasury seeks cost recovery
UK: Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris struck a defiant tone when addressing the Transport Select Committee on November 18, insisting that the government was seeking ‘resilience, not cuts’ from the railway during the coronavirus pandemic.
National Rail Contracts to succeed ERMAs as cost cutting envisaged
UK: The future direction of passenger contracts is becoming clearer, as insiders confirm that successful negotiations between owning groups and the Department for Transport would see franchised operators move from Emergency Recovery Measures Agreements to new National Rail Contracts.
RIA calls for a national rolling stock summit and clarity on the future
UK: The Railway Industry Association has published its submission to the government’s spending review, in which it calls for:
UK government announces the end of rail franchising
UK:·The government has announced the end of rail franchising, with Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps saying ‘the model of privatisation adopted 25 years ago has seen significant rises in passenger numbers, but this pandemic has proven that it is no longer working’.
Renationalisation mooted as government exerts greater control over TOCs
UK: The Department for Transport is looking to ‘reset’ its approach to railway operations and funding with the introduction of 18-month Emergency Remedial Measures Agreements in September to replace the current Emergency Measures Agreements, according to senior rail sector insiders.
DfT preparing for future passenger franchise options
UK: Having temporarily suspended its franchise agreements with passenger train operators, the Department for Transport is currently considering its options for what may follow the Emergency Measures Agreements announced on March 23.
Franchise decisions imminent, as Shapps targets concession model
No immediate changes to follow Northern nationalisation
Williams Review to lead to legislation as franchising ‘not the way forward’
Govia Thameslink Railway to pilot fares reform for part-time workers
Rail industry responds to general election result
Business Travel Association sets out investment priorities
Railway Industry Association responds to general election vote
Rail industry responds to Queen’s Speech
Rail Delivery Group CEO to stay on
South Eastern franchise competition cancelled pending Rail Review
Nine recommendations for rail in northern England
Industry comments on Williams Rail Review
Williams reiterates call for UK franchising changes
FirstGroup concerned about UK franchise risk and reward