Rail industry review to be launched by the government next week [9.2018]

[whole diary]

[grahame]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) ... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-45532566

A review of the rail industry is to be launched by the government next week, following criticism of the way the franchising model is run.

Labour said the model was "broken", after the East Coast Mainline franchise failed for the third time and passengers on other lines faced strikes and disruption to new timetables.

The party says it will renationalise the railways if it gets into power.

But the government says privatisation has helped "transform" the industry.

continues

Remind me ... is this one of the reviews we already know about, or a new review?  Should there be a review of all the various reviews?

And while all this is going on ... what about keeping the current system and improvements on course, and not putting a freeze or blight on any progress ...

[Western Pathfinder]

Opportunity for yet more meddling!perhaps.

[Sixty3Closure]

Much easier to launch a review and give the illusion of activity rather than actually doing anything.

As Grahame says my first thought was is this another one or a bit of promo for one of the many existing ones. Or maybe you keep reviewing until you get the answer you want?

[Electric train]

The governing party do need to give the illusion that they are governing the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) and that Brexit is not all consuming of their ability.


This time next year the fight starts for the next general election ……………….. that's if there is not one before hand …………….. they need something for the manifesto after all HS2^▸ (The next High Speed line(s)) work has started, Crossrail will be complete (ish) (perhaps  ) the renewal and modernisation of Britain's railways since the Victorians is all spent out ………..


So they need something new ………………….. so happy I am retiring soon 

[martyjon]

Part of Radio 4's news summary states the Deputy Chairman of John Lewis's has been asked by prepare a report which is to include details of how the employees of the TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company)'s can share in the profits of the franchise, has ANY franchise since privatisation made a profit. Quite the reverse, losing money franchises hands the keys back and similarly whilst a franchise is receiving subsidy money to run the franchise but when it comes to handing money to HMG as per their winning franchise bid the keys are handed back too. Chiltern Trains maybe an exception to this, confirmation of this latter statement welcomed.

[grahame]

... has ANY franchise since privatisation made a profit. ...

Yes. I recall a post the other day showing rail and road division profits for a year from several large train and bus operators.  The ones we see handing back the keys in a blaze of news are the the ones that have gone seriously wrong; the franchises that quietly expire and pass into the next franchise / phase will for the most past have made a modest profit for their shareholders.

[Lee]

Part of Radio 4's news summary states the Deputy Chairman of John Lewis's has been asked by prepare a report which is to include details of how the employees of the TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company)'s can share in the profits of the franchise, has ANY franchise since privatisation made a profit. Quite the reverse, losing money franchises hands the keys back and similarly whilst a franchise is receiving subsidy money to run the franchise but when it comes to handing money to HMG as per their winning franchise bid the keys are handed back too. Chiltern Trains maybe an exception to this, confirmation of this latter statement welcomed.

Would this be the same John Lewis whose profits have fallen to almost zero?

[JayMac]

... has ANY franchise since privatisation made a profit. ...

Yes. I recall a post the other day showing rail and road division profits for a year from several large train and bus operators.  The ones we see handing back the keys in a blaze of news are the the ones that have gone seriously wrong; the franchises that quietly expire and pass into the next franchise / phase will for the most past have made a modest profit for their shareholders.

One franchise has handed back the keys to avoid making a loss in an extension period, after the franchisee got its sums wrong. And it's been rewarded by government with several direct awards...

That is one that should have expired, quietly or otherwise, sometime ago. Instead it's been allowed to limp on in a parlous state for five years to date. And will likely be rewarded for continued failure for another four years. Its a cash cow being milked by its owning group to keep them afloat. The other two franchises run by this owning group are apparently in trouble too. No doubt taxpayers will be stumping up there too.

Railway franchises. Profits privatised. Losses nationalised. Phoney capitalism. Anytime a franchise gets into trouble one of two things happen. Nationalisation. Or the contract is renegotiated/directly awarded to the benefit the franchisee. Either way the real losers are taxpayers. Bonkers system based not on what is best for running a railway, but instead based on Tory ideology and dogma.

I hope the whole house of cards come crashing down. Some short term pain when that happens, but a spectacular failure is the only way to kill off for good this stupid way to run railways.

The reason there's a review is because the system is falling apart. Franchises are defaulting or struggling and want to renegotiate. Bidders are pulling out of upcoming tenders. Or, as is rumoured with CrossCountry, only the encumbant has expressed interest in bidding.

[sikejsudjek3]

Carillion, rail franchises, G4S in prisons, Crapita - the entire neoliberal model is a house of cards. Some of it has collapsed - the rest will.

Neoliberalism (Blair and the Tories) has never been about value for money for the taxpayer. Its been about providing an unearned rental for private capital out of state assets. Its economic folly - but supported by shills in the media. PFI - estimated loss to the tax payer £223 billion. Private losses by banks - £550 billion private loss paid for by public austerity.

As long as the 'little people' can be brainwashed to blame benefit scroungers and immigrants they don't seem to notice. But alarmingly for the establishment they are starting to notice - and the policy of loading both main political parties with neoliberal shills has broken down.

[TaplowGreen]

Carillion, rail franchises, G4S in prisons, Crapita - the entire neoliberal model is a house of cards. Some of it has collapsed - the rest will.

Neoliberalism (Blair and the Tories) has never been about value for money for the taxpayer. Its been about providing an unearned rental for private capital out of state assets. Its economic folly - but supported by shills in the media. PFI - estimated loss to the tax payer £223 billion. Private losses by banks - £550 billion private loss paid for by public austerity.

As long as the 'little people' can be brainwashed to blame benefit scroungers and immigrants they don't seem to notice. But alarmingly for the establishment they are starting to notice - and the policy of loading both main political parties with neoliberal shills has broken down.

Yep, can't wait till Corbyn takes over and sorts it all out, we'll all be so much better off............

[CyclingSid]

Usual problem, like calling in consultants, there are good points from both sides (privitised and nationalised) but dogma will probably get in the way.

[Lee]

The DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) have now officially launched the review.

The announcement includes the news that the CrossCountry Franchise Competition will not proceed.

[grahame]

The DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) have now officially launched the review.

The announcement includes the news that the CrossCountry Franchise Competition will not proceed.

“The timetable is our promise to passengers”   Rail Delivery Group, 2015

On 20 May 2018, this promise was broken.
This interim report into what happened focuses
on identifying the factors that contributed
to the failure to develop and implement an
effective operational timetable in May 2018,
and draws conclusions about the management
of operational risks created by major timetable
changes, based on information received
from those involved. Phase 2 of the Inquiry
will report before the end of 2018 to make
recommendations for change.

[ChrisB]

Much easier to launch a review and give the illusion of activity rather than actually doing anything.

As Grahame says my first thought was is this another one or a bit of promo for one of the many existing ones. Or maybe you keep reviewing until you get the answer you want?

It is yet another!
The initial one headed up by John Lewis's Chief Exec, this one is being headed up by BA^» (British Airways - about)'s Chief Exec, Keith Williams. I guess he knows how to timetable (aircraft) at least.

[Timmer]

this one is being headed up by BA^» (British Airways - about)'s Chief Exec, Keith Williams. I guess he knows how to timetable (aircraft) at least.

You'd have thought he would have enough on his plate sorting out BA net alone trying to sort out the rail industry.