Promise of ‘golden era’ for rail with system restructure
The operator of Kent’s rail services will be among the first to be forced to team up with Network Rail in a radical government overhaul of the system.
Transport secretary Chris Grayling says he wants closer working between operators and Network Rail, ending the current division of responsibility where services are run by one and tracks and infrastructure handled by another.
The news will mean when the new franchise for the Kent network – which could be Southeastern – starts in 2018, it will be as a joint team.
Mr Grayling said the reforms herald a “golden era” for train services but critics say it will mean wholesale privatisation.
He said: “We want to see closer working across the industry, to resolve problems more quickly – putting the needs of the passenger first. When things go wrong, a lack of a joined-up approach can make things much worse.”
‘We want to see closer working across the industry, to resolve problems more quickly’
He added: “I intend to start bringing back together the operation of track and train on our railways.
“Our railway is much better run by one joined-up team of people. They don’t have to work for the same company. They do have to work in the same team.”
Plans for better operation of track and train across the rail network will be achieved through the new integrated rail franchises.
The first of the new franchises to be let will be on the Southeastern and East Midlands routes, which will be expected to include integrated operating teams between train services and infrastructure.
Anthony Smith, chief executive of the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said: “These proposals, in time, could make a positive difference to the things passengers care most about: reliability and value for money.”
Paul Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, representing train operators and Network Rail, added: “Effectively-managed teams focused on the same objectives will resolve problems and make progress more quickly.”
It comes as average fares for Southeastern services are to rise by 1.8% next year.
That puts the cost of an annual season ticket from Maidstone East to London up by £75.96, from £4,220 to £4,295.96.
An annual standard class highspeed season ticket from Maidstone West to London terminals currently costs £5, 204. It is set to go up by £93.67 to £5,297.67.