The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Review by former BA chief aiming to overhaul the entire industry
The review of the UK’s rail industry has been hailed as having the potential to bring about the most significant changes since privatisation.
The former boss of British Airways has been tasked with leading the scheme, which is aimed at overhauling the entire industry.
Keith Williams will be backed by a panel of experts as he scrutinises the rail system and works out the best ways of “improving value for money for passengers and taxpayers”.
The plans for reform are to be enacted by 2020, after the government publishes a white paper next year.
The scheme follows timetable disruption in May which caused chaos for thousands of English commuters and prompted a government investigation.
Mr Williams said: “It’s clear Britain’s railway has experienced unprecedented growth and is carrying more passengers than it did a century ago on a network a fraction of the size.”
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling added: “Privatisation has delivered huge benefits to passengers on Britain’s railways — doubling passenger journeys and bringing in billions of private investment.
“But it is clear that the structure we inherited is no longer fit to meet today’s challenges.
“Following the disruption this summer we took immediate action to improve services and ensure the industry compensated passengers.”
The review will focus on altering the industry’s commercial model to improve services for passengers and taxpayers, and balancing public and private sector involvement.