Rail travel / Introduction Track and YIELD Millions of pounds is being invested in the UK’s rail network to enhance the passenger experience. Dave Richardson assesses the state of the industry Official inquiries into the state of Britain’s railways are a regular occurrence, and indeed date back to the 'Railway Mania' of the 1840s when the industry was new and over-speculation brought economic ruin to many. So why should the latest be any different? <strong>The</strong> Williams Review – led by former British Airways chief executive Frank Williams – is open for consultation until <strong>May</strong> 31 but is, by its chairman’s own admission, the 30th review since 2006. At least he has set the bar high. Williams has already commented publicly in advance of a white paper that the Department for Transport will issue in the autumn, saying: “Put bluntly, franchising cannot continue the way it is today. It is no longer delivering clear benefits for either taxpayers or fare payers.” In the meantime the Rail Delivery Group, which includes train operators and Network Rail, has weighed in with its own proposals for reform of the highly complex fares system. <strong>The</strong> RDG’s guiding principle is that “customers only pay for what they need and are always charged the best-value fare”, with pay-as-you-go pricing on season tickets and simpler ticketing on smart cards. Longdistance passengers should benefit from better-value fares bought on the day of travel, with more flexibility on peak-hour pricing to even out demand. Commenting on behalf of the ITM, industry affairs committee member Will Hasler says: “Touch-in/touch-out ticketing must be available on all platforms, not just B2C. Train operators all have different objectives, a key one being trying to extend the franchise. “<strong>The</strong>re’s likely to be extra expense in the short term if they sort out split ticketing anomalies, which we would not be happy about. However, the prospect of spreading demand more evenly on trains has cost and wellbeing benefits for commuters and business travellers. It all sounds good, but it's easier said than done.” A new hope <strong>The</strong> Williams Review, which could enforce or disregard the RDG’s pronouncements on fares, goes much further. It is looking into the entire structure of how the rail industry is organised and may even tackle – and likely dismiss – Labour’s call for renationalisation. “Renationalisation wouldn’t solve anything as there would still be no competition between operators or incentive to provide a customer-facing service,” adds Hasler. “But we shouldn’t lose sight of infrastructure improvements made, such as the redevelopment of major stations at London Bridge, King’s Cross, Reading and Birmingham New Street. This should be commended, but the railways are still struggling to cope with demand. “I’m not convinced anything much will come out of the Williams Review, especially if Chris Grayling is still in charge,” Hasler adds. Raj Sachdave, of consultancy Black Box Partnerships, welcomes the Williams Review for addressing some basic questions, along with RDG proposals on fares reform – but with a warning. “<strong>The</strong>re’s a focus on how the new fares will impact the commercial relationships of franchising, and we hope this doesn’t mean higher fares for business travellers and those who need to travel at peak times or need flexibility at peak times,” he says. “<strong>The</strong> study could have segmented business travellers but doesn’t, which is disappointing to read.” Another consultant, Nick Hurrell of Nick Hurrell Associates, says he has “a glimmer of hope” that Williams will usher in real change. Removing control of the industry from the Department for Transport is key for him. “We had a terrible year in 2018 with delays, falling public satisfaction and the debacle on East Coast where Virgin was allowed to walk away from the franchise,” he says. “Overall blame has to sit with the DfT, which is too close to the industry. “On fares we need to introduce rates based on the distance travelled, as we have the highest regulated fares in Europe.” Josh Collier, Head of Proposition – Rail and Ground transportation, Capita <strong>Travel</strong> and Events, wants uniformity in how train operators pay delay compensation. This is a growing business for specialists such as Railguard and <strong>Travel</strong> Compensation Services, which target business travellers. As overall public satisfaction with the UK's railway network slumps to its lowest level for ten years at 79% – according to twice-yearly surveys by watchdog Transport Focus – the Williams Review is keenly awaited and very timely indeed. “In the autumn we will bring everything together and, alongside government, recommend change through a white paper,” Williams promises. “It will be the culmination of the biggest and widest review of the railway for generations.” 56 THEBUSINESSTRAVELMAG.com
Introduction / Rail travel This autumn will see the culmination of the biggest and widest review of the UK's railway network for generations” THEBUSINESSTRAVELMAG.com 57
Change language