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Title: Rail Regulator seeks views on on-rail competition Post by: ChrisB on October 04, 2011, 13:56:56 From an ORR emailshot....
Quote The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has today published a consultation seeking views on the potential for more 'on-rail competition' - the direct competition between train operators for passengers - to help meet the rail industry^s value for money challenge. The consultation considers whether more on-rail competition would be desirable, taking account of its potential benefit for passengers but also exploring how to ensure that such competition does not lead to significant additional costs for the taxpayer. The consultation requests views on:
The consultation forms an important part of the rail regulator's periodic review (PR13). In February 2012, the rail regulator will review Network Rail's access charges - the charges that the company is permitted to levy on train operators for their access to its network - factors that are critical to on-rail competition. This consultation will help inform future views and policy. Cathryn Ross, ORR's director of railway markets and economics, said: "It is essential that the railways provide value for money for passengers and taxpayers, and that the potential for the railways to drive economic growth is fulfilled. As the economic regulator we are determined to help drive improvements that will benefit passengers and taxpayers. "Greater on-rail competition is one means by which the challenge of making significant efficiency savings could be addressed. As part of our next periodic review, we must therefore consider whether and how to move towards greater on-rail competition and the benefits this could bring for customers, taxpayers and train operators." The consultation, The potential for increased on-rail competition, can be found at: http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/pr13/consultations/orr017.php (http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/pr13/consultations/orr017.php) The consultation closes on 4 December 2011. Title: Re: Rail Regulator seeks views on on-rail competition Post by: eightf48544 on October 11, 2011, 00:15:59 I tend to think on-rail competition is a bit of an oxymoron.
As there are usually on set of rails between most places on the Network it is very difficult to have two 08:00 Padd Bristol trains run by different operators. Whilst I agree Hull trains and Grand Central offer some competition for East Coast to York say it is really only on Advanced tickets that there is any real differnce. Off PEak and anytime fares being valid on all services. When I recently went to Selby via York using an Off Peak I went down by EC and Up by GC. The sole reason being they were the TOCs that ran a train at the time I wanted to travel. For instance on the way back the GC train happened to be in teh station waitng as we arrived from selby so we got straight on rather than wait for teh next EC train. I agree that in theory Hull trains and GC have provide some competition to EC but it would be jut as easy for the Hull, Sunderland and Bradford direct services to be specified in the next East Coast franchise. Elsewhere there was the debacle of Wrexham and Shropshire whose service was hampered by poor pathing across Birmingham and not being able to pick up at Wolverhampton because it would breach Virgin'as agreement with DaFT regarding revenue from Wolverhampton. The service was withdrawn with a week's notice. I think W&S illustrates the real problems of true on-rail commercial competition. Who gets the best paths, how is the revenue distributed, how are delay mnutes atributed etc. It's a "Bean Counters" dream and there are too many of those on the railway already! Title: Re: Rail Regulator seeks views on on-rail competition Post by: JayMac on October 11, 2011, 00:32:17 What 'on-rail competition' can I expect on my local line from Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach?
These beauracrats at the ORR need to realise that the rail network doesn't start and end with the flagship InterCity lines.... ::) Title: Re: Rail Regulator seeks views on on-rail competition Post by: eightf48544 on October 12, 2011, 08:37:35 Exactly bignosemac, front coach FGW back coach Arriva. Different fares catering in one coach with pretty/handsome hosts/ess, cattle crush in cheapest end.
Title: Re: Rail Regulator seeks views on on-rail competition Post by: 6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01 on October 12, 2011, 16:00:22 you have 2 options from yeovil to bristol :-)
Title: Re: Rail Regulator seeks views on on-rail competition Post by: JayMac on October 12, 2011, 16:51:04 you have 2 options from yeovil to bristol :-) One of which is a bleddy long way round and only offers 3 connecting trains a day if you wish to stick to the one operator (SWT). Title: Re: Rail Regulator seeks views on on-rail competition Post by: 6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01 on October 12, 2011, 16:55:01 you have 2 options from yeovil to bristol :-) One of which is a bleddy long way round and only offers 3 connecting trains a day if you wish to stick to the one operator (SWT). unless its a sunday during winter when you have more options via salisbury but your correct not the best example how about exeter-weymouth ;D This page is printed from the "Coffee Shop" forum at http://gwr.passenger.chat which is provided by a customer of Great Western Railway. Views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that content provided contravenes our posting rules ( see http://railcustomer.info/1761 ). The forum is hosted by Well House Consultants - http://www.wellho.net |