Underperforming train operators could lose franchises

A key part of the transport strategy being formulated by the Tories includes the establishment of a new champion for rail passengers having the power to rescind the franchises of badly underperforming operators.

The authority and responsibility would rest with the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR), to be overhauled should the Conservatives prevail in the next election.

Under the plan being developed by the Tories, the ORR would be the single, “one stop shop” for rail passenger issues, with contact details appearing on all train tickets and posted at all rail stations.

The current watchdog, Passenger Focus, would function as a research and lobbying group representing Britain’s travelling public.

Hearing and acting on passenger complaints would become the focus of the ORR, dealing with issues on service quality such as dirty trains, overcrowding, poor punctuality and repeated service cancellations.

If operators fail to respond appropriate to service issues, the ORR would have the ultimate authority to strip the company of its franchise.

Initially, the regulator would “knock heads together” to deal with the issues, according to Theresa Villiers, the spokesperson for the party.

If the initial attempt fails to result in improvements, then the regulator would establish a compulsory “performance improvement plan” for the operator, before resorting to ending the company’s contract.

Thanks to www.telegraph.co.uk for the above quotes, for more information on this article please visit their website.

www.rail-reg.gov.uk