The Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail is the Government’s blueprint
for how it intends to reform the UK’s rail industry. The
London Assembly Transport Committee has
today published its report responding to the
plan.
The evidence received by the Committee has led to a number of
recommendations, including:
- The devolution of rail services to London and the need for
London Overground to remain under the control of TfL in the new
structure for the railway. [1]
- The Rail Transformation Programme needs to examine further
evidence on the root causes of a lack of trust from passengers
with the current rail system, particularly with regards to
ticketing and fares.
- The need for passenger and freight services to be developed
in tandem to maximise services on both sides of the rail
industry.
- Understanding the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic
on passenger levels and travel needs.
- The need for robust consultation with passengers and railway
staff ahead of any changes to the railway industry.
MBE AM, Chair of
the London Assembly Transport Committee, said:
“Britain’s railways have long needed serious reform. The
current system has disappointed passengers time and time again
with poor service, poor communications and a lack of consistency
across the network. The Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail is an
important starting point for the future of the UK’s railways.
There are big opportunities - but those opportunities have to be
realised.
“The evidence available in the Williams-Shapps Plan is
limited and from the evidence we heard as a Committee, it is
unclear at this stage where any savings will come from. But
that is only one of our concerns.
“We certainly do not want to see a loss to rail
devolution. London Overground should remain under the
control of TfL in the new structure for the
railway.
“We’re also very focussed on passengers. Often the
price of a return ticket is almost the same as a single ticket.
We heard evidence that a few years ago, about 30% of prospective
customers would not travel on trains because they could not be
sure of getting the best fare. Great British Railways will need
to regain the trust of rail passengers, if they want them to
embrace train travel in the future.”
Notes for Editors:
- The GLA Conservatives do not agree with Recommendations 1 and
2. See further information on their minority view at
Appendix 1 in the report.
-
MBE AM, Chair of the
London Assembly Transport Committee is available for
interview – see contact details below.
- The report is attached
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the
London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
