The right TRACK
The UK’S rail network has its challenges but remains crucial to business travel and the domestic economy, writes Dave Richardson
With the franchise system in chaos, grim images of overcrowding, controversy over HS2 and continuing delays to Crossrail, rail has become an ever-present in the national debate.
For business travellers who don’t go by rail or who use it only to commute, the danger is that they don’t see its advantages.
This could change as the climate debate heats up, and duty of care tilts the balance away from long car journeys. “Flight shaming” is beginning to have an impact especially on the travel choices of millennials, suggesting that a new age of rail travel could be approaching – at least when the COVID-19 crisis has finally passed (see pages 58-59 for more on what the government is doing to support the industry at this time).
With improved on-board facilities including better wifi, power points, more seats at tables and faster journey times, many of the new trains currently being delivered will make rail a better experience.
Before temporary reductions in services were implemented due to the spread of coronavirus, seat capacity was increasing on many routes. But while the basics of punctuality and reliability remain problematic, many potential converts are unconvinced.
A solution to rail’s problems is promised by the Williams Review, an independent inquiry into the rail industry that was delivered to the Department for Transport last autumn but had still not been published by early March and now looks likely to be further delayed.
However, its recommendations have been widely flagged up and include scrapping the franchise system as it stands, simplifying fares, finding new ways for train operators and infrastructure operator Network Rail to work together, and establishing a new independent body to draw up contracts with train operators. Predictably, it promises to “put the passenger first”.
Nick Bamford, an associate at consultancy Black Box Partnerships, says: “This is a oncein-a-generation opportunity to change the framework of the rail industry, and an acceptance of its fundamental flaws.
“We need new thinking and not talk of the ‘good old days’. We need a forward-looking agenda that recognises how the socioeconomic nature of the UK has changed since the Beeching cuts of the 1960s.”
Open for business
The infamous Dr Richard Beeching, whose report led to the closure of thousands of