Better Transport

Campaign for Better Transport has responded to ATOC’s report [1] on franchising by telling the Government to guard against train cuts, and to reduce fares.

Cat Hobbs, the group’s public transport campaigner, said:

"We are very concerned that giving train companies more flexibility would mean they can cut train services to save money at a time of recession. The Government must continue to specify timetables to safeguard people’s services against cuts. However, we do think the Government should look again at rail franchising. It should cut train fares instead of trying to make money from franchises by squeezing passengers. And it should keep the East Coast franchise in the public sector to see if that provides better value for money."

Notes to editors
[1]  The report, Franchise Reform: a better railway for passengers and for taxpayers,  published 30 October, is available from ATOC (the Association of Train Operating Companies)