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Keep rail local, says pteg
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"30/07/2010
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Following the launch last week of the government’s rail franchising document, pteg – which represents locally accountable transport bodies – has said that it should play a bigger role in rail management.
Neil Scales, chair of pteg, said: “The Government is right to look again at how franchises are structured and how to secure more investment. The consultation document recognises the important role that we play on local rail, but we want to go further.
“As the locally accountable bodies responsible for local transport for the six largest city regions outside London, we will be arguing for a bigger say in the planning and development of our local rail networks through the franchising process. This could range from full vertical integration of track and trains for self-contained networks like Merseyrail Electrics, to a greater role in specification and responsibility for local rail services elsewhere in our areas.
“Decentralising control over local rail networks works - as the success of London Overground, Merseyrail Electrics and Scotrail shows. Devolution of rail powers to local, accountable bodies like PTEs will address many of the issues raised in the franchising document, allowing greater focus on what matters to local commuters, enabling greater integration of local rail services with other modes and, crucially, unlocking the opportunity for more investment by PTEs and others.”
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