Politicians, businesses and key stakeholders from around the North East have met with members of the Rail Delivery Group to discuss radical proposals to change the 海角视频’s railways.
New proposals put forward by the group would lead to the biggest change to the national rail network in decades, potentially overhauling the fare system and creating a new body in charge of the network.
Under the Rail Delivery Group’s proposals the existing franchise model would be drastically altered to allow multiple operators to travel on the same lines, as well as changing government contracts so that their targets do not focus on season ticket sales and other outdated metrics.
The current system would be broken apart and rebuilt to create more competition on lines, improve passenger choice, and make finding the cheapest fare much easier.
Robert Nisbet, director for nations and regions at the Rail Delivery Group and former BBC journalist, said: “The Keith Williams review we see as an opportunity and we have been calling for a root and branch review since last summer, and we were delighted when the government said they wanted to establish one.
“We have put together a proposal of what a railway should look like and it is replacing a one size fits all franchise with different government contracts that are different for each area.”
“We believe the fare system is not fit for purpose.”
The changes would make the fare system easier to calculate with a set price determined for the distance travelled, while premium services would incur additional costs. These would include extras such as faster services, first class tickets, and peak time travel. This would end the need for split ticketing websites and would allow local transport services, such as bus operators, to add their tickets on to rail travel deals.
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It would also allow the creation of premium and budget rail services, similar to those operating in the airline industry.
Among those attending the Newcastle event was the North East England Chamber of Commerce, CBI, Railfuture, Intu Properties, and the Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership.
Marianne O’Sullivan, Chamber policy adviser, said: “The meeting with RDG was really positive, we discussed how demand for passenger services were growing but there are still problems around a lack of public trust. A simpler rail fare structure would give people more confidence to use rail to travel and feel like they were being charged the best price. This would increase confidence in rail as well as accounting for changes in work patterns with the rise of flexible working and less regular commutes.
“Reforms to rail fares along with major projects such as HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail will cause increased demand for services. We discussed improving capacity issues through improvements to the East Coast Mainline and how this could bring extra capacity for passenger services to cope with demand as well as freeing up space for rail freight which has wider positive economic and environmental benefits.
“Another key part of RDGs plans is devolution. It is essential to have more local input into the rail system and the contracts awarded as local decision makers in the North East will have more knowledge around the economic needs of the region, which improvements are needed and how rail integrates with other modes of transport.
"This will help to create franchise agreements which reflect the North East’s needs.”
Explaining one of the concerns raised, Mr Nisbet said: “There was a remark that when it comes to Transport for the North, part of this region was left off the map and that the north of the North get left out. That is something we are happy to pass on.
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“We think the models we have put forward would go some way to answer these issues. We think to much is decided in Westminster.
“We are hoping this will be the starting pistol for a revolution on the railways.”