‘Fundamental overhaul’ of rail franchise system needed

After the collapse of the East Coast Mainline franchise this year and a ‘calamitous introduction’ of a new timetable on Northern services, the Leader of Leeds City Council has called for a fundamental overhaul of the current franchise system.

This comes as the Prime Minister yesterday ordered a review of rail franchising, according to reports. Theresa May is understood to have authorised a major review to examine how to improve the railways without abandoning the use of private operators. The consultation is expected to last until 2019 and is likely to be headed by an external figurehead.

Reacting to the announcement of the review, Councillor Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council and member of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, said: “Rail passengers in the North of England have endured the collapse of the East Coast Main Line franchise three times in the last 12 years, the letting of franchises on a no-growth basis and in recent months the calamitous introduction of a new timetable. Promised improvements under the current Northern and Transpennine franchises remain unfulfilled with no timetable for when they will be delivered.

“A modern, reliable rail network is an essential element of the transport system the North of England needs to fulfil its economic ambitions and create growth which benefits all our communities. This can only be delivered through a fundamental overhaul of the current system which devolves power into the hands of the people who have the expertise and experience to make the right decisions that put passenger interests first.”

Councillor Blake is leading a review into the rail disruption following the May timetable change with Rail Minister Jo Johnson.

The Transport Secretary Chris Grayling announced in May that the East Coast Mainline franchise, which connects Yorkshire with London Kings Cross, was to be renationalised. He said an ‘Operator of Last Resort’ (OLR) was to be chosen and LNER is now running the service.

The decision was taken after Grayling stated earlier in the year that Stagecoach, the previous operator, had “got its numbers wrong.”