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There are a number of views here that suggest that renationalisation in some part of the network would be welcomed. Are the new alliances between some TOCs and NR a step in this direction?
There are several reasons to support the status quo but one of reasons not to is that it is very expensive and there is a lot of waste. Is it right to put more people on the dole to support daft ideas like buying your tickets in the library? Or is it better to reform a system that sees a lot of our money benefitting the shareholders of ROSCOs and TOCs.
My view is that the rolling stock fiasco should be taken back in the national interest and a not for profit company used to purchase and upgrade new rolling stock. One of the reasons rail fares are high is that these trains have to be leased on a year by year basis.
The FOCs function well where they are and should be left as such.
The passenger TOCs need some sort of reform. The government has disappointed by not improving the franchise process and it seems more goes out of the railway than goes in. I would have hoped Hammond and Greening would have come up with more co-operative and innovative solution to see investment in infrastructure and rolling stock rather than shareholder welth increasing. The trick has to be to get operators to recognise this.
Lets be honest, the railway will not ever be re-nationalised because no one wants to hand the keys of the railway to Bob Crow.
Dave
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