Rail strategy announced – our response

28 November 2017

The Department for Transport today launched its Strategic Vision for Rail.

Anthony Smith, chief executive of the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said:

“Railway services only improve with long-term, sustained investment. So pulling together a raft of initiatives in one strategy is a good step in communicating to passengers what the long-term plan is.

“Passengers want to know someone is in overall charge of their service, so the forming of closer alliances between track and train operators and potentially splitting large franchises could help that. The focus on improving the passenger experience, improved compensation and driving better value for money from the welcome passenger and taxpayer investment also sounds the right note. Expanding the network, through re-openings or new lines will help more people choose rail.

“Passengers will judge the success of these plans on the extent to which they meet their priorities for improvement: more reliable services, more chance of getting a seat or standing in comfort and a boost to value for money.”