gimmea50anyday
Established Member
It wouldn't matter if people were sick to the back teeth of franchising, the EU loves the British concept because it means companies from different countries can bid to run each other's railway systems, so it is here to stay whether we like it or not.
So why was British Rail never allowed to bid for British franchises in the same way NS, SNCF or DB can do? Or indeed for any other foreign concession, much as DB and National Express do?
Probably because the tories were hell bent on dismantling and privatizing as much of BR as they could as quickly as possible for as much money as possible before losing the following election!
Perhaps making best use of BR's efficiency while employing private companies customer service training and knowledge might have created a far better service without the cost. Had BR received the level of subsidy the industry gets now we would have a world leading railway.
Any discussion of franchising stalls until there is an answer to the Wolmar question - what is franchising for? Efficiency? Competition? Saving taxpayers' money? Providing better trains/service? All of the above?
Absolutely!
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