Richard Bowker, who oversaw the franchise system earlier in the decade as the former head of the now defunct Strategic Rail Authority, said the government should extend contracts beyond their current length of around 10 years. "The train operators should be allowed more freedom to innovate and invest. They have won their spurs."
The franchise system has been criticised by industry executives for being too prescriptive, particularly in setting timetables and allocating train carriages, while demanding steep payments that require annual above-inflation fare rises.
"For reasons of getting a grip, it has become a little bit too prescribed," Bowker said. "The pendulum needs to swing back more.
"It requires the industry to get together and agree a way forward. It probably requires the Department for Transport to be a little less concerned about service planning within franchises and allow train operators and Network Rail to do that little bit more."
(link below.)
http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2007/12/east_coast_rail_service_vows_r.html#more
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