1996-02-05 Sir George Young hails launch of first privatised passenger rail services (Department of Transport)

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date 5 February 1996
source Office of the Rail Regulator
type Press release

note ORR/96/5

John Swift QC, the Rail Regulator, today launched a formal investigation into a possible licence breach involving ticketing irregularities at London Tilbury Southend (LTS) Rail Ltd.

Announcing his investigation, which is wholly independent of that being carried out by the British Railways Board, Mr Swift said, "It is very important that those taking over the stewardship of assets being transferred from the public sector to the private sector are, and are seen to be, acting in the public interest. I attach a great deal of importance to this investigation, in which there is a considerable and legitimate degree of public concern.

"My first step will be to serve notices forthwith under section 58 of the Railways Act 1993 on the British Railways Board, LTS Rail Ltd, Enterprise Rail Ltd and Rail Settlement Plan Ltd, requiring relevant information to be produced.

"I will then consider that information, decide what further steps should be taken, and aim to complete my investigation as soon as practicable."

Notes to Editors:

1. Section 58 of the Railways Act 1993 places a duty on the Regulator to investigate alleged breaches of licence. Sections 55-57 give the Regulator power to enforce compliance with orders made following the determination of a breach of licence condition. Section 146 makes it a criminal offence to provide false information to the Regulator.

2. Rail Settlement Plan Ltd is the company set up to process payments of ticket revenue between operators. It is jointly owned by the domestic passenger train operators.

Railhub Archive ::: 1996-02-05 ORR-001