Louise Wright’s Post

Public ownership of rail takes centre stage as Government plans radical overhaul of transport

In a landscape where rail infrastructure plays a vital role in shaping transportation, the European Commission has just thrown a curveball with its decision on the main rail network concession for Nederlandse Spoorwegen. This decision isn't just about contracts; it's about the future direction of rail policy in Europe. The implications are vast and multifaceted. How will this decision impact the efficiency and accessibility of rail services? What does it mean for the competitiveness of the rail sector? And importantly, how will it influence the overall transportation landscape? Europe still doesn’t understand that in public services liberalization doesn’t always brings improved citizen services at a better price (rather the opposite). Especially in rail where investments happen across decades a consistent and continued vision is key. UK has shown what the consequences of full liberalization are: poor services, all-time high of cancelled trains, dynamic pricing with outrages fees in peak hours and a fully outdated infrastructure. https://lnkd.in/eJEgEJaJ #railindustry #publictransport #NS #consession

UK / 18 July 2024 / Department for Transport and The Rt Hon Louise Haigh MP -- Today, legislation was introduced to bring the #UK’s #railways back into #public ownership, marking the biggest overhaul of the sector in a generation. This move, spearheaded by Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, aims to provide better train services for all UK residents. The Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill, introduced to Parliament today (18 July 2024), will make public sector operation the default for rail passenger services. This significant change follows years of poor performance under the current model. Transport Secretary Louise Haigh stated, "This is a clear signal of intent. Rail reform is at the heart of this King’s Speech. Our transport system is broken, but today’s bill will pave the way for better trains that work for everyone, no matter where you live. After years of inefficiency, we’re taking the first steps towards rail reform today. Change starts now." The new laws aim to ensure rail services prioritize passengers, ending years of waste and fragmentation. The Transport Secretary emphasized that publicly-owned passenger rail will provide a more efficient, higher quality, and reliable service. With five bills dedicated to transport, this legislative agenda is set to deliver the biggest overhaul in a generation. These reforms are critical for kickstarting economic growth, unlocking opportunities across the country, and accelerating progress towards net-zero emissions.

Leading transport consultant: Bus can succeed as public purse is tightened >>> https://bit.ly/3Ucsvgy

The London Assembly has today called on the government to further devolve the running of rail services in London, to ensure Londoners get the most benefit possible from proposals to bring rail back into public ownership. In a letter to the Minister for Rail, Lord Hendy, the Transport Committee calls on the government to amend the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill 2024-25 to allow Transport for London (TfL) to run services operating into, and within, London. The Committee has also written to the Mayor of London, recommending that TfL should have the power to appoint a public sector operator for the Elizabeth Line and Overground, in line with the changes to other services operating in London following the introduction of the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill 2024-25. If any further rail services are devolved, the Committee believes that the Mayor and TfL should be given the ability to appoint the operator and set the direction for them, as is currently the case with London Overground and the Elizabeth Line. What are your thoughts on this? Is it a good idea? Let us know your thoughts below👇 https://lnkd.in/eHeaB8jj

Further details on rail reform emerge https://buff.ly/4dfuFCB #rail #railreform

Further details on rail reform emerge https://buff.ly/4dfuFCB #rail #railreform

Rail Partners’ annual George Bradshaw Address Rail Partners has hosted the annual #rail industry event, the George Bradshaw Address, where it called on the main parties to ‘follow the evidence’ backing a public private partnership for the railway, and ‘get on with reform’. At the event, which saw both Huw Merriman MP, Minister of State for Rail and HS2, and Stephen Morgan MP, Shadow Minister of State for Rail address more than 200 senior rail industry representatives, the trade body, which represents rail operator owning groups and freight operating companies, warned that government overinvolvement in the railway leads to poorer outcomes. Chief executive, Andy Bagnall told the speakers that, ‘without actual legislation to create Great British Railways, the central tenets of the Plan for Rail are in the sidings’ and that ‘we don’t agree that a public monopoly is the best way to fix the industry’. The event coincided with the unveiling of the new draft Rail Reform Bill by the Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom, which the trade body has previously said was a useful step forward but not a substitute for introducing legislation to create a new public body to oversee the railway. Rail Partners used the annual George Bradshaw Address to highlight that, while welcoming the current government’s explicit support for private sector operators, it has been slow to deliver much needed reforms, in spite of a plan to do so. And that the Labour party’s current stated aim to put the railway back under public control goes against the evidence that shows competition leads to better outcomes for passengers and taxpayers both in the UK and across Europe. Speaking at the event Andy Bagnall, Chief Executive of Rail Partners, said: ‘We believe it is possible to get the best of both worlds to deliver for passengers and freight customers – a new public body to oversee the railways so customers know who is in charge, but harnessing the innovation and investment of private sector operators to attract customers, grow revenue to balance the books, and free up money for other national priorities. We also need a stable environment for freight operators, to enable them to grow and help decarbonise supply chains.’ Prior to the event, Rail Partners launched its ‘Manifesto for Rail’ setting out a five steps the next government must take to allow the railway to succeed. https://lnkd.in/ej_CZwbD

🇳🇱 desperately lack a vision for rail freight. 🇳🇱 government fails to deliver sound rail freight policy, has ignored a parliamentary proposal and sector appeals, and risks falling behind the rest of Europe. The Netherlands used to have a vision for rail freight. A long time ago, admittedly. Policy plans about the organisation of public space, transport and traffic made the fruitful development of rail infrastructure possible in the 1990s. These future-proof plans laid the foundations for the ‘Betuwe line’, a rail freight line from Rotterdam to the border with Germany that opened in December 2007. However, the Dutch government failed to follow up on agreements signed with Germany. It never developed the rail freight line to the German border near the towns of Oldenzaal and Venlo, as was agreed upon. 🇳🇱 government traditionally prioritises road transport and, as a country with many waterways and shipping companies, likewise prefers stimulate inland shipping. According to the sector’s vision, the Netherlands needs to fix its rail hardware and software, provide alternative freight routes in the country’s east and south, make all border crossings accessible, and fully connect to the TEN-T network. However, nothing ever came of the elaborate plan. There was no money. The result is that the Netherlands is stuck with a technically complex rail infrastructure system that makes rail freight financially less viable, all the while the government has no eye for it. 🇳🇱 is falling far behind the 🇪🇺’s rail freight targets, which envision a market share of 20-25 percent by 2030. What’s more, the country does not even comply with the European Commission’s 2013 rail guidelines. The Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat is now working on creating a rail freight plan. A January 2023 motion of 🇳🇱 Parliament called upon the government to respect the November 2020 appeal, forcing it to direct more attention to strengthening rail freight transport and living environment along the railways. Time will tell what this motion, and the plan that the new government yet to be formed will come up with later this year, including budget, for rail freight in the Netherlands. Cuts in public finances should not come at the expense of strengthening rail freight transport and measures on hinterland railway lines to control nuisance of intensivied train traffic. #vision #decisiveness #railfreight #sustainabletransport #youbuywesupply #letsmakerailfreightgreatagain

The Conservative Party Manifesto 2024 lays out plans for rail The Conservative Party has said it is the only party with a “credible plan for rail reform”, claiming “Labour’s nationalisation plan would put the trade unions in charge, continuing to prolong unaffordable and unfair working practices which are unjustifiable to the public”. In its manifesto, released today, it said that if elected it would introduce a #Rail Reform Bill in its first King’s Speech to create Great British Railways (GBR), headquartered in Derby. It said: “GBR will usher in a revitalised private-public partnership, delivering a modern and innovative railway with reliable services, and simpler tickets.” The party has said GBR would be tasked with “growing the role of the private sector, including supporting the expansion of open access services to bring greater choice for passengers”. Over the next Parliament it has also said it would roll out mobile, pay-as-you-go contactless tickets across the country, “bringing rail into line with how we pay for many goods and services”. Additionally, it has reiterated its pledge to spend £36 million on local roads, rail, and buses using the money saved by cancelling the Northern leg of HS2. It added that it would deliver HS2 between London Euston and the West Midlands, as well as supporting growth in the rail freight sector. The manifesto goes on to state that, if re-elected, the party would: Deliver its plan for Northern Powerhouse Rail. Boost connectivity in the Midlands by funding the Midlands Rail Hub in full. Improve accessibility at 100 railway stations. Upgrade railways in the South West. Invest £1 billion to electrify the North Wales Main Line and address pinch points on the A75 between Gretna and Stranraer. Reopen Beeching lines and stations. It has also vowed to improve connectivity in Scotland by supporting road and rail improvements https://lnkd.in/eyd9W-jd