- Passenger service contracts (PSCs) set to be introduced for
rail operators as part of Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail reforms
- new contracts designed to deliver high-quality, punctual and
reliable services on a rail network focused on passengers
- the first phase of market engagement, to encourage new,
ambitious thinking into the railways, will begin with the Rail
PSC Day on 4 November
The first phase of industry engagement on new passenger service contracts
(PSCs) will
begin on 4 November 2021, bringing government and stakeholders
together to ensure a joint focus on a more passenger-focused
railway for the future.
PSCs will be
introduced as a key tool in rail reforms, establishing a new way
of working between the public and private sector to provide
high-quality, punctual and reliable passenger services.
They will encourage greater private sector involvement, offering
new market entrants and existing operators the chance to showcase
innovation and expertise and work collaboratively with the new
public body, Great British Railways
(GBR), to deliver the reforms proposed in the Williams-Shapps Plan for
Rail.
The upcoming engagement
exercise will provide potential bidders with the opportunity
to learn more about the future commercial model, raise questions
and have their say in the development of the contracts.
The Department for Transport is working not only to maintain
successful partnerships with existing passenger service
operators, but also to encourage new entrants to the rail market,
including those from other transport sectors and those from
outside the UK to bring in fresh ideas, investment and innovation
from outside the rail network.
Rail Minister said:
Our Plan for Rail will deliver the most significant reforms to
our railways in a generation. Unlocking the expertise, investment
and ingenuity of the private sector – including new and ambitious
market entrants – is vital to delivering the reforms that put
passengers first.
I encourage all those interested in playing a central role in the
future of Britain’s railways to engage with this process, helping
build a railway that is fit for the future.
Under Great British Railways, the railway will be organised in a
new way, fixing the fragmentation, confusion and overcomplexity
of the past. It will provide simple, sustainable and accountable
leadership – one body to maintain and improve the infrastructure,
foster innovation, build trust in the system and attract more
passengers back to the network.
