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date 23 February 1999 source ATOC type Press release
ATOC Director General James Gordon described the accusation that ATOC supported the replacement of loss-making railways by bus routes as "utter nonsense" and as a "pre-summit silly story".
"The letter by Giles Fearnley that has been referred to was not from ATOC and has been mischievously misquoted.
"Mr Fearnley made clear in that same letter that "Prism Rail, through Wales & West, is contractually committed to run trains to at least the Passenger Service Requirements (PSR)* to 31 March 2004 and we have not sought nor will not seek, to avoid that responsibility in any shape or form" (and that the article mentioned) "does not indicate in any way that we have plans to make any bus substitutions".
Mr Gordon confirmed: "The issue of rail closures and bus service alternatives is entirely a matter for Government and the new SRA. These are political decisions based on wider social, environmental and economic criteria. They are not in the remit of franchised train companies." Giles Fearnley, ATOC Chairman added: "All train companies are committed to developing and enhancing their railways. That has led to 20 per cent growth and 1000 extra services a day over the last three years."
-ENDS-
For more information: David Campbell Bannerman, Communications Director 0171 904 3010 or pager (01523) 523 523 pager no. 849718
Railnews Archive ::: 1999-02-23 ATO-001
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