Rail Regulator seeks views on on-rail competition

[whole diary]

[ChrisB]

From an ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) emailshot....

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 benefits that existing on-rail competition has delivered;
• the potential benefits of competition generally;
• the role that further on-rail competition could play in driving value for money;
• the implications of more on-rail competition for the flow of funds through the industry, particularly the impact on government and taxpayer expenditure; and
  
• options for encouraging more on-rail competition, including how any impact on taxpayer expenditure could be mitigated.

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

The consultation closes on 4 December 2011.

[eightf48544]

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^» (Great Central Railway - link to heritage line). The sole reason being they were the TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) 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^» (Department for Transport - critical sounding abbreviation I discourage - about) regarding revenue from Wolverhampton. The service was withdrawn with a week's notice.

I think W&S^▸ (Wrexham and Shropshire (Open Access Operator)) 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!

[JayMac]

What 'on-rail competition' can I expect on my local line from Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach?

These beauracrats at the ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) need to realise that the rail network doesn't start and end with the flagship InterCity lines.... 

[eightf48544]

Exactly bignosemac, front coach FGW^▸ (First Great Western) back coach Arriva. Different fares catering in one coach with pretty/handsome hosts/ess, cattle crush in cheapest end.

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

you have 2 options from yeovil to bristol :-)

[JayMac]

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^▸ (South West Trains)).

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 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^▸ (South West Trains)).

unless its a sunday during winter when you have more options via salisbury

but your correct not the best example

how about exeter-weymouth