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Railhub Archive 1996-01-02 DoT-001 Department of Transport0
Secretary of State for Transport, Sir George Young's, statement in response to Which? report
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 British Rail
 
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         Secretary of State for Transport, Sir George Young's, statement in response to Which? report _______________________________________________________________

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type Press release
The results of the WHICH? survey are concerning, even though the survey was conducted over 5 months ago among a small sample. We recognise the problem; it goes back long before the start of privatisation. Before restructuring one station would not necessarily give out information about another. But of course travellers have the right to expect accurate information so that they can weigh all the options for completing their journey. To the extent that franchising offers competition on some routes, the WHICH? survey is an argument for better information not less competition, "I believe that privatisation of the railways, and the franchising process specifically. will go a long way to addressing the shortcomings of the currently available information systems. This is the chance we have wanted to introduce private sector energy and know-how into the supply of information. A halt to franchising would actually slow progress towards improving the systems inherited from BR, "Franchise operators are required by the Franchising Director and the Rail Regulator to provide impartial and comprehensive train information. Continuation of the existing telephone information services is part of the franchise operator's licence and these will be required to be maintained and improved, "It will be in all the Train Operating Companies' interests to provide the best possible information to customers in order to encourage greater use of the network. Poor information, wherever it comes from, only discourages use of trains. The real competition for the TOCs comes not from each other but from the car, "With regard to criticisms of the Passenger Service Requirements, WHICH? admits that it only had access to information on service levels which predated the award of the first franchises. These awards confirmed that all the new franchisees were committed to maintaining or improving existing levels of service and that these were well above the PSRs set by the Franchising Director. "[[I]] Hope the Consumers Association will welcome this month's freeze on fares and the new levels of security offered by the PSRs."
Railhub Archive ::: 1996-01-02 DoT-001
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