Shadow Strategic Rail Authority

Sir Alastair Morton scopes timescale for renegotiation of franchises including local authorities
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date 23 September 1999
source Shadow Strategic Rail Authority
type Press release

An assurance of continuing discussion with the seven local authority
appointed Passenger Transport Executives in England and Scotland in the
renegotiation process for the five rail franchises to which they are signatory
was given by SSRA Chairman, Sir Alastair Morton, today.

Addressing the UK Local Authority Chairs of Transport Conference in London
Sir Alastair said:

" Between a third and a half of the 18 TOCs have devolved or local
government involvement in their affairs. In several, PTEs pay a substantial
proportion of the train support payments. In five cases, the PTE - for reasons
which escape me - undertook to bear the revenue risk: a truly strange use of
public funding for a privatised railway system!

"My colleagues and I in the SSRA believe two things very strongly about this
PTE or devolved government participation.

"First, it needs careful structural review. Second, it needs a lot of consultation
between the SSRA and the local or devolved participants, as well as the new
regional authorities.

"As a result, I perceive that the negotiated replacement of existing PTE
related franchises will proceed at a slower pace - probably not getting serious
until next Easter, and not completed until the autumn. We will be talking to
local transport authorities - I assure you".

Note to Editors

The current Central Trains, Merseyrail Electrics, North Western Trains,
Northern Spirit and ScotRail franchises all receive part funding from the local
PTE.

Railhub Archive ::: 1999-09-23 SRA-002