There are two clear sides in the franchising debate – one says the train operators need an incentive to invest, and the other says the extended control periods will make them less accountable and care less about passengers.
While the railways in this country are organised as they are, franchise extension has got to be the best way to go – but the Government’s planned new ‘tough targets’ on overcrowding and service levels have got to be real to deal with passenger anger over fare rises. Few yet realise the extent of the hikes to come over the next few years and ministers will suffer a huge backlash if services cannot
show serious improvement in return.
