Member News
By Lord Bradshaw - 10th June 2009
Coinciding with his debate in the Lords chamber, Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Lord Bradshaw outlines his concerns over the quality and cost of public transport.
Do you feel that the railway is being managed in the interests of the passengers? Do you believe that fares and other charges rise too quickly? That trains, for the most part, are slower and more crowded that they were twenty years ago? Do you find the travel experience has become less pleasant and you have no space to put your suitcase?
In a debate in the House of Lords on Thursday, I call for the rail industry to be refocused to concentrate on the needs of the passenger and freight user.
Several almost autonomous bodies are responsible for organising the railway. None of these have the overriding task of improving the lot of the passenger. We should consider whether to establish a public corporation, akin to the BBC with an experienced independent chairman to take overall control of the railway. The chairmen of Network Rail, the Office of Rail Regulation, the Association of Train Operating Companies and of Passenger Focus would be board members, alongside independent members.
The proposed corporation would oversee a new generation of longer franchises aimed at improving the passenger experience through greater commitment to investment and having regard to the passenger for renewal of franchises. We would seek closer control of the level of fares and charges.
These kinds of arrangements would not have to involve an organisational upheaval except in the Department for Transport from which responsibilities for franchising and future strategy would be transferred to the new corporation.
If passengers are to be the priority, there are a host of other improvements we should start to see. We need passenger-friendly arrangements for the use of diversionary routes when the railway has to close, an immediate upgrading of the East Coast Main Line, the immediate placing of orders for additional rolling stock, a start to electrification and more effort in dealing with the fear of crime on public transport.
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd