The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has today confirmed it will approve track access rights for the new InterCity West Coast franchise, paving the way for improved services to passengers and more efficient use of capacity.
Following an extensive analysis of proposals for train services on the West Coast Main Line (WCML), the regulator will approve a 10 year track access contract for the new franchise, allowing existing West Coast services to continue, but with a contract that contains more flexible access rights than currently in place. The franchisee will be able to make service changes more easily, taking forward new ideas to improve passenger services, and providing greater value for money to the taxpayer.
ORR has not at this stage given the go-ahead to plans for services by new ‘open access’ operators on the route. But its approach does leave the door open for such services, provided they are not simply abstracting revenue from the franchise.
ORR chief executive Bill Emery said:
“Our West Coast Main Line track access conclusions pave the way for the new franchisee on the route to introduce improved services for passengers and to make more efficient use of capacity. It also leaves the way open for the introduction of limited competition from new operators on the route, to complement the franchised services, and protects the interests of freight operators.”
The regulator has also charged Network Rail to work with the rail industry and the new franchisee to develop plans for a revised WCML timetable to be implemented in stages from December 2013. This follows cross-industry work which showed that there is limited spare capacity on the line which can only be realised through a revised timetable.
Further information can be found here.
