Labour to nationalise train operators - ongoing discussion, merged posts

[whole diary]

[TaplowGreen]

Well, here's a thing!

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/01/31/labour-pledge-renationalising-rail-starmer-woos-business/

[ChrisB]

Labour to renationalise train operators with no compensation
Shadow transport secretary says Britain’s railways are ‘broken’ and party’s plan to fix them will ‘bring significant savings’

The total of the management fees paid to TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) basically, but allowing the TOC contracts to expire without renewal.

Has anyone found an up to date list of TOCs and their current management contract expiry dates?

[Electric train]

Well, here's a thing!

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/01/31/labour-pledge-renationalising-rail-starmer-woos-business/

Kind of old news City AM Monday 26 September 2022  https://www.cityam.com/labour-re-commits-to-nationalising-rail-if-it-wins-the-next-election/

[infoman]

The railway will still have auditors and accountants to sort out train delays etc.

Do away with train delay culture,if a train develops a train fault,or if the signaler can give the train a green light,so be it.

I should imagine that most of us have been on a platform when a train fault is attempting to be rectified.

Train crew are wound up like coiled springs,trying to answer there phones and dealing with passengers at the same.

[stuving]

Has anyone found an up to date list of TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) and their current management contract expiry dates?

This came up last month: Railway Codes does seem to keep its list up to date. For TOCs that have other forms of contract, including OLRs, use their link to Rail franchise operators.

[Noggin]

I think I'd rather have First running GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) - at least they've got an incentive to get the job done rather than politicians and DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) wonks that will sacrifice the west for Labour heartlands in the north of England

[Electric train]

My guess is Labour will use the opportunity of GBR^▸ (Great British Railways) Bill to enable the "bringing in house" of the ToC's, I suspect they are more likely to go for the management type contracts first than a whole sale re Nationalisation.  They will use break clauses in franchise contracts than just terminating without compensation to avoid challenges in the Courts.

Political rhetoric in a lead up to a GE is one thing the practical delivery of a policy after the GE is another

[plymothian]

Political rhetoric in a lead up to a GE is one thing the practical delivery of a policy after the GE is another

This is the most important aspect.  I have very little faith that any party will do what they promise they will.

[TaplowGreen]

Political rhetoric in a lead up to a GE is one thing the practical delivery of a policy after the GE is another

This is the most important aspect.  I have very little faith that any party will do what they promise they will.

I'd like to understand what differences would customers notice if the TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) were renationalised and how would it improve the service they receive?

Is anyone here able to clarify that?

[GBM]

/quote]

I'd like to understand what differences would customers notice if the TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) were renationalised and how would it improve the service they receive?

Is anyone here able to clarify that?

Naturally, all trains would run on time.
Network Rail would have as much money as they required.
Spare coaches; engines and sets in sidings ready for duplicates.
What more would you want!!!!!!!!!
It goes without saying that full catering/buffet cars on all InterCity runs.

[TaplowGreen]

/quote]

I'd like to understand what differences would customers notice if the TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) were renationalised and how would it improve the service they receive?

Is anyone here able to clarify that?

Naturally, all trains would run on time.
Network Rail would have as much money as they required.
Spare coaches; engines and sets in sidings ready for duplicates.
What more would you want!!!!!!!!!
It goes without saying that full catering/buffet cars on all InterCity runs.

You are Mick Lynch and I claim my £5.

[grahame]

Naturally, all trains would run on time.
Network Rail would have as much money as they required.
Spare coaches; engines and sets in sidings ready for duplicates.
What more would you want!!!!!!!!!
It goes without saying that full catering/buffet cars on all InterCity runs.

* Train crew available to operate those spare train sets.
* Government and workforce working hand in hand with everyone include the passengers happy.
* Staff at all stations to help provide the best value tickets and re-assure / inform passengers
* Trains to run with an appropriate frequency and line with the capacity to allow that
* Affordable fares and encouragement to that long distance journeys shift from road and from flying

[JayMac]

The TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) have been adequately compensated already.

[Electric train]

Political rhetoric in a lead up to a GE is one thing the practical delivery of a policy after the GE is another

This is the most important aspect.  I have very little faith that any party will do what they promise they will.

I'd like to understand what differences would customers notice if the TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) were renationalised and how would it improve the service they receive?

Is anyone here able to clarify that?

The schedule 8 payments would stop funding the bubbly at the share holders meeting and the excessive salaries paid to the senior executives of the TOCs, and just be used for the delay repay to passengers.  The savings would mean either increased funding in renewals and enhancements or lower fares for passengers.
The ability of the infrastructure maintainer to have access to the track for essential repairs around the last few trains at night without having to compensate TOCs again will be a great saving, the only cost would be providing the alternative transport for passengers (there will still be governance over this so it will not be a free for all for the infrastructure maintainer)
Better coordination of timetabling, easier to alter the service area of a passenger train service provider

[TaplowGreen]

/quote]

I'd like to understand what differences would customers notice if the TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) were renationalised and how would it improve the service they receive?

Is anyone here able to clarify that?

Naturally, all trains would run on time.
Network Rail would have as much money as they required.
Spare coaches; engines and sets in sidings ready for duplicates.
What more would you want!!!!!!!!!
It goes without saying that full catering/buffet cars on all InterCity runs.

........another thing of course - there would be guaranteed industrial harmony, no more strikes or disputes, with Union Leaders and Ministers joyfully linking arms, marching forwards together onto broad, sunlit uplands, and an immediate agreement outlawing BBQs on Sundays!