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Conservative rail plan shares key aims of train operators, says ATOC CEO Michael Roberts
date 11 February 2009 source ATOC type Press release
Commenting today on the Conservative Party rail review ‘Getting the best for passengers’ Michael Roberts, Chief Executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies, said:
“There are many positive ideas in this review. The emphasis on empowering train operators to innovate and invest is a welcome recognition of the key role they have played alongside others in carrying record numbers of passengers more punctually than ever before.
“The focus on less micro-management by Whitehall and possible ways to improve further Network Rail’s focus on customers will be particularly well-received by train operators. The willingness to think afresh on franchises is helpful and we look forward to discussing how best this might be done.
“We also look forward to understanding better how the new role of passenger champion would work to avoid overlap with the important work currently carried out by other bodies such as Passenger Focus.
“Taken as a whole, this review is a vote of confidence in the railways. Train operators, Network Rail and all the main political parties are now clearly committed to increasing capacity and other measures which are essential for rail to make a growing positive contribution to the economic, social and environmental fabric of the UK.”
