Michael Roberts, of the Association of Train Operating Companies, was on Radio 4's 'Today', being interviewed in response to the Transport Select Committee's report on rail franchises. It was a curiously unsatisfying effort on his part, matched only by the inability of the interviewer, Sarah Montague, to actually pin him down on anything.
I'm fairly reliant on National Express. In Suffolk, they run all of the trains - the only station served by anyone else is Brandon, on the Norwich to Ely/Cambridge line. They also run the long distance coach network (Stowmarket is on the Southend to Liverpool route). My only alternative would be to drive, although driving lessons would be a key prerequisite before I could do so.
So I want to be confident that they aren't going to abuse their monopoly position by ripping me off. I'm also concerned that, given what happened on the East Coast Main Line, they might decide to walk away. Let's see what Michael had to say...
On whether passengers are getting a good deal in terms of fares, "Fare rises have been kept within the limits set by government.". That would be a no, I presume. Michael did point out that passenger satisfaction was up, reliability was up, and so was punctuality. Frankly, if my fare goes up by more than inflation, my train should get there on time more often, and it should turn up more often.
That said, they took away the restaurant car, sacked cleaners and reduced the number of customer service staff, claiming that this would improve the service I get. It didn't, and it idn't going to.
It's the sort of answer you'd expect from a politician talking about his expenses...
Oh yes, and franchises. Are any more of them in trouble? "As in the rest of the economy, times are hard.". That would be a yes, a no or a don't know. Rumours that Great Western and South West Trains are thinking of 'handing the keys back' are rife. And if they're taking public money, don't we, as stakeholders, have the right to know?
No, Michael, that was, from a passenger perspective, a shockingly poor performance. I'm sure that your bosses will be pleased though...
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