MAKE THE RAILWAYS WORK AGAIN
Since Labour came to power in 1997 train delays have doubled, services have
been cut and we have the highest fares in Europe. The ticketing system is
so complicated that finding the cheapest fare is impossible, even for railway
company staff themselves. The whole mess was created by the Tories when
they privatised the railways but Labour has had 9 years to sort it out and
they’ve failed.
Liberal Democrats would streamline the railway system so
there would be fewer train operating companies, each with longer contracts, in
return for more investment and better services.
The highest fares in Europe
We have released research which shows that our rail fares in Britain are the
most expensive fares in Europe. Ten pounds will take you about 200 miles in
Italy, over 100 in France but a measly 38 miles in Britain.
We need fewer train operating
companies
A licence to operate trains lasts for about 7
years, which is much too little time for expensive investments in a
railway. Train companies’ fear losing their contracts, which leads to low
levels of investment and short term planning.
We would reform the system
so there would be fewer franchises. Each franchise would last longer than
7 years, even up to 20 years and to get the contract, companies would be
required to promise to invest for the long term, to improve services. At
the end of a contract there would be a presumption in favour of renewal, and if
the company has delivered on its promises the contract would not just be handed
over to the lowest bidder. A good train operator would be rewarded for
keeping its promises and acting responsibly in the long term interest of
passengers.
New
trains
Rail travellers in many parts of the country are
travelling on trains that are older than in many parts of Central and Eastern
Europe. Thirteen of the current rail companies have no plans to upgrade
rolling stock. On average, our trains are 13 years old. The GNER
fleet is 20 years old on average. With the exception of fast intercity
routes and the lines around London, passengers face increasingly old, unreliable
and overcrowded trains.
It is vital that train operators are allowed to
own their rolling stock. At the moment trains are owned by separate
rolling stock companies (ROSCOs) who charge the train operators for using
them. They have an unjustified monopoly which adds unnecessary cost.
Liberal Democrats would end this hangover from the Tories, giving Network Rail a
central role as guarantor to buy back the trains if the company later loses its
contract.
High speed rail
line
High speed rail is an efficient means of transport
in itself and it delivers extra capacity for local trains and freight. It
is also a realistic alternative to short-haul, domestic air travel. It is vital
that we commit to this project before congestion brings Britain to a standstill.
Tom Harris is talking about supporting high speed rail, as was former
Minister for Transport Alistair Darling, but we need to start the process
urgently and there is money in the transport budget now to get on with it.
Once operating, a high speed route can pay for itself in 15 years and that’s
without taking into account any other major economic benefits it would bring to
the regions of Britain.
Decentralisation
A key question
now is the ever increasing powers of the Secretary of State, for example over
timetabling. More and more decisions are being taken away from those who
are best placed to make them. We need less central control over the
railways, not more government interference. Liberal Democrats would
encourage small scale schemes which can bring huge benefits at little cost when
decisions on what’s needed are made by local people who understand local
needs.
