1995-03-28 National transport policy should not ignore individual choice – Mawhinney (Department of Transport)

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date 30 March 1995
source Department of Transport
type Press release

note 101

Greater efficiency and improved service for passengers – including better access to information on timetabling and ticketing – are the key objectives of rail privatisation, Dr Brian Mawhinney, Secretary of State for Transport, said today.

Speaking at the National Railway Museum in York, Dr Mawhinney said:- "We are putting the railway passenger first. That is what privatisation is all about.

"Changing the structure of the industry is not an end in itself. It has point only if it leads to greater efficiency and better services. This is what the new railway will deliver.

"Easy access to information about services timetables, and ticket retailing – this is what passengers want from the new railway and I am determined to see that they get it".

Dr Mawhinney said that each of the 25 privately-owned train operators will have a specific market and route on which to focus their efforts. They will have every incentive to go out and attract more business. They can only do that by providing what passengers want.

Citing two recently announced initiatives, he said:- "Already this is beginning to happen. Train operators are reaching agreements with bus companies to provide feeder services and introducing a ‘train miles’ incentive scheme in conjunction with Tesco. Last week, Southern Vectis, an Isle of Wight based bus operator, introduced a new national bus and train telephone hotline. The new structure encourages such innovations".

Dr Mawhinney said that some passenger groups, such as disabled people, are covered by the new legislation in a way never attempted before. Timetable information, through ticketing and fares have all been given special attention to see that the passenger's interests come first.

Railhub Archive ::: 1995-03-30 DoT-001