TransportXtra https://www.transportxtra.com/ TransportXtra is the fastest route to transport intelligence with the news and archives of leading transport publications including Local Transport Today, New Transit and Parking Review magazine. en-gb TransportXtra https://www.transportxtra.com/images/TransportXtra-Logo.png https://www.transportxtra.com/ Bringing electricity to the branches privately wired or wire-free? https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/34547/bringing-electricity-to-the-branches-privately-wired-or-wire-free-

T There’s little disagreement that electrification is the best power system for most railways. But what should be done about branch lines where the business case might not be as clear as that for mainline railway electrification? Without it, through trains from the mainline need to be diesel powered even while travelling the majority of their time under the wires – and diesel trains are less efficient and less reliable than electric ones. Two contrasting approaches in the UK give so

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Rail News Wed, 15 May 2013 14:41:00 GMT 34547
20 more with real influence Regulators https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/34007/20-more-with-real-influence-regulators

A group of individuals hold significant power in their role defining regulatory frameworks and supervising transport industry activities. Following last year’s Competition Commission inquiry into the local bus market, headed by Jeremy Peat, that disappointed some with its rejection of any new regulation, MPs on the transport select committee called for greater resources to be given to the traffic commissioners in order for them to supervise the proposed new bus operators’ code of con

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Feature Mon, 18 Mar 2013 16:34:00 GMT 34007
Alvarez hires former Network Rail chief https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/33288/alvarez-hires-former-network-rail-chief

Advisory firm Alvarez & Marsal has appointed the former chief executive of Network Rail to spearhead a push in transport and infrastructure as it believes the sectors “have not woken up” to the threat of the financial crisis. Iain Coucher (pictured) becomes a Managing Director in its London office to head its transport and infrastructure-focused business across Europe. In addition to his time as chief executive at Network Rail, Coucher also served as chief executive of TubeLine

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People Thu, 3 Jan 2013 16:20:00 GMT 33288
Keith Ludeman joins board of Network Rail international consultancy https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/33286/keith-ludeman-joins-board-of-network-rail-international-consultancy

Network Rail Consulting, the international consultancy arm of Network Rail, has appointed Keith Ludeman (pictured) to its four man board. Ludeman, 62 retired last year as group chief executive of Go-Ahead. Since then he has also served as a non-executive director of Network Rail. Network Rail Consulting was established last year to harness the extensive range of skills and experience within the group to offer British expertise overseas, and be an international ambassador for Britain’s ra

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People Thu, 3 Jan 2013 14:30:00 GMT 33286
Former DfT Rail Contracts Chief joins Steer Davies Gleave from Veolia https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/33283/former-dft-rail-contracts-chief-joins-steer-davies-gleave-from-veolia

Tim Buxton (pictured)has been appointed by consultant Steer Davies Gleave to strengthen its rail expertise, and support its portfolio of UK and international rail projects in the rail team headed by Jim Collins . Buxton was Deputy Director, Rail Commercial Contracts, in the Department for Transport’s rail team before joining Veolia Transdev, where he was Director, UK Rail. At the Department for Transport, Buxton managed the government’s primary relationship with many of the transp

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People Thu, 3 Jan 2013 14:26:00 GMT 33283
New group to promote Cable car schemes https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/31991/new-group-to-promote-cable-car-schemes Engineering, legal and property experts have joined forces to launch UK Cable Car Advisers, and promote the adoption of the technology. Following the successful recent opening of the Emirates Air Line cable car link across the Thames between the O2 Arena and Excel Centre in London, carrying up to 2,500 passengers per hour, the new grouping plans to open up prospects for further deployments as an additional urban transport mode in cities. Members are lawyers Bircham Dyson Bell, who worked on

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Products & Services Thu, 6 Sep 2012 16:59:00 GMT 31991
DfT announces 19m passenger-counting contract https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/31979/dft-announces-1-9m-passenger-counting-contract

The UK Department for Transport has awarded a £1.9m contract to design, develop, implement and manage a Rail Passenger Counts Database (RPCD). Capita Symonds has been appointed to develop the database, to collate, manage and report on rail passenger figures for the 23 train operating companies which have contracts with the DfT. The contract covers an initial year of development, followed by four years hosting and support. The RPCD will identify hotspots and trends across the network to b

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Rail News Thu, 6 Sep 2012 16:36:00 GMT 31979
Intercity franchises move forward but Open Access operators under pressure https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/31951/intercity-franchises-move-forward-but-open-access-operators-under-pressure

The specification has emerged for the new longer franchises at Great Western (currently operated by First) and East Coast (currently operated by state-owned Directly Operated Railways after National Express’s withdrawal from the route in the face of unaffordable premium payments). The government is meanwhile seeking to protect its new franchises from Open Access competitors to further improve their financial performance. The Great Western franchise’s Invitation to Tender was issued

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Business Thu, 6 Sep 2012 14:25:00 GMT 31951
Ambulance buy moves Arriva further into social transport https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/31944/ambulance-buy-moves-arriva-further-into-social-transport

Arriva’s purchase of British patient transport provider Ambuline not only moves it further towards a model of mobility provider and away from the scheduled transport-only model which has generally applied to major British transport groups so far, but also places it in prime position to benefit from changes in local authority socially necessary transport provision. DB subsidiary Arriva purchased Birmingham-based Ambuline in June for an undisclosed sum. Ambuline employs 240 people and curr

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Bus News Thu, 6 Sep 2012 13:40:00 GMT 31944
Briggs promoted to lead mobility at Frost Sullivan https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/31385/briggs-promoted-to-lead-mobility-at-frost--sullivan

Martyn Briggs has been promoted to the position of programme manager, mobility, at Frost & Sullivan’s automotive and transportation team. He joined the international growth consultancy as a consultant last year, moving from MVA Consultancy, where he was a senior consultant in the policy, strategy and evaluation team.

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People Fri, 13 Jul 2012 14:47:00 GMT 31385
HS2 awards professional services contracts https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/31380/hs2-awards-professional-services-contracts

UK london-midlands rail route developer HS2 Ltd has awarded its final four professional services contracts for land referencing support. The successful companies will arrange access to land for ecological, environmental and engineering surveys, working closely with HS2 Ltd’s own property team, environment specialists and engineers. Terraquest has won two bids. They are a £752,000 London Metropolitan Area contract covering the route from Euston Station to the Colne Valley viaduct, in

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Rail News Fri, 13 Jul 2012 14:38:00 GMT 31380
Mott MacDonald to design next Bergen light rail link https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/31046/mott-macdonald-to-design-next-bergen-light-rail-link Consultant Mott MacDonald has been appointed by Hordaland Regional Council, which includes Norway’s second-largest city, Bergen, to carry out detailed design, preparation of procurement documentation and stakeholder management for the €220 million Stage 3 of its light rail network. The 7.2km of double track will complete a direct link from the 4km Stage 2, which is due to open by summer of 2013, to Flesland airport, through 2.8km of tunnels. The project forms part of a 20-year env

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Light Rail News Mon, 11 Jun 2012 18:21:00 GMT 31046
Atkins wins 188 million of HS2 design contracts https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/31044/atkins-wins-18-8-million-of-hs2-design-contracts

Consultant Atkins has secured a £13.3 million contract to produce preliminary designs for the two High Speed 2 (HS2) running lines through the 91km Country South section of the new rail link, given the go ahead by the UK government earlier this year. Covering Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire, the award covers design work for the Colne Valley Viaduct, twin bore tunnels under the Chilterns and a range of new ‘green’ tunnels, int

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Rail News Lead Story Mon, 11 Jun 2012 18:19:00 GMT 31044
Smart travel game takes Intertraffic trophy https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/31036/smart-travel-game-takes-intertraffic-trophy Dutch company DTV Consultants came top in the Smart Mobility Category in the 2012 Intertraffic Innovation Awards, announced in Amsterdam in March, with its From5to4 travel behaviour change game. Participating companies can use this to encourage employees to leave their cars at home for one day a week and explore public transport and other alternative ways of getting to work. Departmental teams can vie against each other, using social media to exchange tips and encourage colleagues to gain poin

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Products & Services Mon, 11 Jun 2012 18:15:00 GMT 31036
UK Rail regulators competitive framework for Network Rail sets new model for open market https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/31020/uk-rail-regulator-s-competitive-framework-for-network-rail-sets-new-model-for-open-market Movement towards a new competitive model for European railways continues to proceed at a sedate pace, but inexorably steps are being made. In some countries, local court rulings have started to back up the EC’s position that an international open market now supposedly in place should be being followed domestically, as in Germany where there have been signs of increased market opening following a judgement that prevented the direct award of tenders to Deutsche Bahn. It’s not the same

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Reflections Mon, 11 Jun 2012 18:05:00 GMT 31020
New questions emerging on passenger cost sensitivity https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/31018/new-questions-emerging-on-passenger-cost-sensitivity

The UK Department for Transport has published a new rail demand forecasting framework developed by consultants Oxera and Arup that suggests current industry expectations of passenger responses to price and journey time changes may be wrong. It adds to an emerging understanding that the old principles and practices of revenue management are increasingly out of date. Commissioned by the DfT, Transport Scotland and the Passenger Demand Forecasting Council, the ‘Revisiting the elasticity-base

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Reflections Mon, 11 Jun 2012 18:03:00 GMT 31018
Brown steps down from MCL as Euclid take stake https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/30995/brown-steps-down-from-mcl-as-euclid-take-stake Chris Brown, managing director of public transport consultant MCL, is to step aside after 20 years at the helm of the company which has been a specialist in the field of travel concessions schemes. Brown said recent changes in UK concessionary travel had led to “new clients, new people and new rules and this is an ideal time for me to step to one side”. Anne Clark, director of MCL’s management services, will take over as managing director and John McKillop, a principal consult

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People Mon, 11 Jun 2012 16:47:00 GMT 30995
Goggin leads MTR bid https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/30987/goggin-leads-mtr-bid

Mike Goggin, Director, International & Advisory at consultant Steer Davies Gleave has been appointed by international transport operator MTR Corporation of Hong Kong to lead their bid for the 15-year Essex Thameside rail franchise. The role is a short term project. Goggin re-joined SDG earlier this year after a period as Stations Director at Network Rail.

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People Mon, 11 Jun 2012 16:42:00 GMT 30987
Network Rail set to diversify into new sectors https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/30290/network-rail-set-to-diversify-into-new-sectors The current UK rail reform programme has led to a real change in perspective at Network Rail, which looks increasingly set to develop from simply a national rail infrastructure operator into a company offering a new range of services at home and abroad. To date, Network Rail has been fairly conservative in outlining its wider ambitions, with public statements focused on its preparations to sell consultancy services, with the Middle East and some Asian countries highlighted as most promising ma

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Business Thu, 5 Apr 2012 13:58:00 GMT 30290
Obituary Peter Huntley an unfinished career https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/30237/obituary-peter-huntley-an-unfinished-career

Peter Huntley, 55, who died in a fall in the Lake District on 9 February, was a widely admired, energetic and innovative professional in the UK transport world who was about to embark on a further adventure in a multi-dimensional career. A keen cyclist, walker and climber, Huntley was in training for a gruelling 16-day trek to the North Pole in April in aid of charity Transaid, which tackles poverty in the developing world by providing better transport. Born in Hartlepool, Huntley entered the

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People Thu, 5 Apr 2012 10:08:00 GMT 30237
Power List 2012 People to look out for https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/29748/power-list-2012-people-to-look-out-for Sometimes organisations or individuals take the lead in new projects that potentially have much wider significance in the long term by breaking the mould of previous thinking. At the Rail Safety and Standards Board, led by chief executive Len Porter, work of potentially huge significance is taking place on creating a new edition of the Rail Technical Strategy. It is designed to provide a coherent framework to demonstrate how technology can be harnessed to deliver rail policy in the most effecti

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Feature Tue, 7 Feb 2012 15:49:00 GMT 29748
Power List 2012 Regulators https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/29746/power-list-2012-regulators A group of individuals hold significant power in their role defining regulatory frameworks and supervising transport industry activities.  UK bus industry regulation took a new slant over the past year, with the Competition Commission inquiry into the local bus market, headed by Jeremy Peat, recommending a series of measures to encourage greater competition. They included new powers for traffic commissioners to intervene if dominant operators engage in predatory competition. If the commi

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Feature Tue, 7 Feb 2012 15:47:00 GMT 29746
Mott MacDonald to design new Stratford Parkway https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/29700/mott-macdonald-to-design-new-stratford-parkway

Warwickshire County Council has appointed consultant Mott MacDonald to produce the outline designs for the new Stratford Parkway Station scheme. The consultant has previously designed the Warwick and Coleshill Parkway stations in the county. The outline design work on the £8.8m project is due to be completed by early summer 2012, with the new station scheduled to open by December 2013. The council has also appointed consultant SLC Rail to oversee the rail elements of the project includi

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Rail News Tue, 7 Feb 2012 11:36:00 GMT 29700
Call for OFT investigation into FirstGroup Aberdeen fare rises https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/29685/call-for-oft-investigation-into-firstgroup-aberdeen-fare-rises Kevin Stewart MSP has asked the Office of Fair Trading to investigate FirstGroup’s market power in Aberdeen following a new round of fare rises. Announcing the rises, David Stewart, Managing Director of First Aberdeen,  blamed  funding cuts introduced by the Scottish Government and rising costs for making fare increases unavoidable. “For example as a result of the changes to BSOG and the high price of fuel, First Aberdeen’s fuel bill will increase by around 30% in 20

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Bus News Tue, 7 Feb 2012 11:16:00 GMT 29685
Plan for ORR to gain powers for monitoring train performance and complaints handling https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/29233/plan-for-orr-to-gain-powers-for-monitoring-train-performance-and-complaints-handling Plans for the rail regulator to be given more powers to protect passengers’ interests have been set out in a joint consultation published by the Department for Transport and the Office of Rail Regulation. The proposals would see the DfT step back from rail regulation, with ORR gaining powers to ensure passenger complaints are handled correctly and responsibility for monitoring train performance and service standards. The plans would contribute to the simplification of regulation in Englan

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Rail News Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:51:00 GMT 29233
Rail regulator issues enforcement orders on Network Rail to reduce delays https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/29223/rail-regulator-issues-enforcement-orders-on-network-rail-to-reduce-delays Following an extensive investigation into declining punctuality on key parts of Britain’s railways, the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has found Network Rail in breach of its licence and has proposed two enforcement orders requiring the company to develop new robust plans to help recover performance. ORR has found that Network Rail: Is contravening its network licence in respect of declining performance in the freight sector. The company has not only missed its performance t

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Rail News Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:29:00 GMT 29223
Northern Hub contract awarded to Parsons Brinckerhoff https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/29220/northern-hub-contract-awarded-to-parsons-brinckerhoff Parsons Brinckerhoff has secured its second major award – the key Consultancy Services contract - on a project that aims to transform rail travel in the north of England. The council has also won the lead Engineering Services contract for the project. If funded in full, Network Rail’s Northern Hub programme will alow faster, more frequent services to better link the towns and cities of the North including Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield. It will also introdu

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Rail News Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:50:00 GMT 29220
Steer Davies Gleave to develop transport plan for US city https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/29219/steer-davies-gleave-to-develop-transport-plan-for-us-city

Steer Davies Gleave is working with the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority (AATA) in Michigan, USA, to develop a 30-year transit master plan for the city and the surrounding region. The AATA, which is branded TheRide, operates a comprehensive city-wide, fixed-route network, limited commuter express buses routes, park & ride and door-to-door services within the urban area. Like the public transport agencies of many mid-sized US cities, it is increasingly challenged to provide a diversity of

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Bus News Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:48:00 GMT 29219
Network Rails Mike Goggin rejoins Steer Davies Gleave https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/29217/network-rail-s-mike-goggin-rejoins-steer-davies-gleave

Mike Goggin has rejoined Steer Davies Gleave (SDG) as director – international advisory, after two years with Network Rail heading its stations activities. Before leaving SDG in 2009 Goggin led a number of high profile assignments for clients in the UK, North America and the Middle East.  As Network Rail’s director of stations and customer service, Goggin’s portfolio of activities included the organisation’s station strategy for its 2,500 plus railway stations, the

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People Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:10:00 GMT 29217
ORR proposes code of practice for information provision during disruption https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/29000/orr-proposes-code-of-practice-for-information-provision-during-disruption The Office of Rail Regulation is consulting on  a Code of Practice governing the standard of information provided to passengers during disruption. The proposals require an initial message to be sent to customer-facing staff within 10 minutes of an incident being notified to a control office so that rapid information can be passed on to passengers. If an incident results in major disruption then subsequent messages should be updated at least every 20 minutes. The messages should contain i

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Rail News Fri, 2 Dec 2011 09:32:00 GMT 29000
Drive for international business will ride on back of Network Rail reforms https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/28602/drive-for-international-business-will-ride-on-back-of-network-rail-reforms

Next year, Network Rail, the UK’s rail infrastructure organisation,  will exhibit at the massive Innotrans show in Berlin in a bid to kick start its ambitions to offer international consultancy and project delivery services. By that time, the company could have some tangible results to present on reforms it is making to deliver a more efficient supply chain and potentially offer attractive new cost effective solutions in railway project delivery to customers around the world. The c

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Business Lead Story Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:42:00 GMT 28602
Halcrow bought by US consultants CH2M HILL https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/28601/halcrow-bought-by-us-consultants-ch2m-hill American engineering and construction company, CH2M HILL, has acquired the Halcrow Consultancy Group. The companies have entered into an agreement, which will see CH2M HILL buy 100% of the issued and to be issued share capital of Halcrow Holdings Limited for approximately £124m. If Halcrow shareholders and the High Court agree, the sale should be completed by November. Peter Gammie, Halcrow’s chief executive said: “This is the culmination of a business relationship going back

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Business Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:41:00 GMT 28601
Atkins wins major Norwegian rail signalling contract https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/28600/atkins-wins-major-norwegian-rail-signalling-contract Atkins engineering and design consultancy has won one of the main design contracts for the new Follo line in Norway. The contract, won in partnership with Norwegian engineering consultancy Aas Jakobsen, covers the area of Oslo Central Station where the new Follo line will run into the station. The project is designed to increase the capacity and reliability of the rail links into the Norwegian capital. The new tracks for the Follo line through a densely built-up area that features many cultur

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Projects Thu, 27 Oct 2011 11:40:00 GMT 28600
Northern Hub and electrification become rail industry top priorities https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/28565/northern-hub-and-electrification-become-rail-industry-top-priorities

The rail industry has put delivering a major capacity enhancement scheme in Manchester and further electrification projects at the top of investment priorities for the next five-year spending plan. Delivering the full £500m Northern Hub project in Manchester, and electrifying the trans-Pennine route and Cardiff Valley line commuter network, are among investments proposed in the rail industry’s Initial Industry Plan for Network Rail’s next five-year control period (CP5), coveri

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Rail News Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:57:00 GMT 28565
ORR calls for more on-track competition https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/28563/orr-calls-for-more-on-track-competition Train operators could face a major increase in competition from open access companies as a result of new proposals from the Office of Rail Regulation to increase on-track competition. They include reserving more train paths for open access operators and new regulations to make it less onerous for open access operators to gain approval for their plans. If the government were to agree to a change of franchising policy, which would free up more paths for open access companies, ORR’s review s

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Rail News Thu, 27 Oct 2011 09:55:00 GMT 28563
'ORR calls on Network Rail to improve punctuality levels' https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/28265/-orr-calls-on-network-rail-to-improve-punctuality-levels- The Office of Rail Regulation has warned Network Rail to improve punctuality across several areas of the rail network. The warning came as ORR’s latest Network Rail Monitor publication highlighted that Network Rail is falling behind key end-of-year punctuality targets, including long distance passenger services where it is 3.4% adrift. Whilst ORR recognised that train passengers generally experience a good level of performance, it called on Network Rail and train operators to work closely

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Rail News Wed, 5 Oct 2011 13:21:00 GMT 28265
ORR appoints three new non-executives https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/28237/orr-appoints-three-new-non-executives

The UK Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) has appointed three new non-executive directors — Mark Fairbairn, Stephen Nelson and Ray O’Toole. The appointments will run until until September 2015. Mark Fairbairn has been at National Grid since 1998. From 2003 to 2007 he was chief operating officer UK distribution and since 2007, executive director gas distribution. Stephen Nelson held a range of roles at drinks company Diageo from 1996 to 2003. He then worked at J Sainsbury’s bef

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People Wed, 5 Oct 2011 12:06:00 GMT 28237
New breed of domestic open access businesses set to begin operation https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/28230/new-breed-of-domestic-open-access-businesses-set-to-begin-operation

The announcement of plans for new international services has coincided with a series of private  schemes for new open access domestic routes unveiled this year. Several of the companies are backed by businessmen of international standing, and rival international operators, and reflect the pioneering approach to ‘open access’ followed in the UK.  In Italy, Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo is a shareholder in NTV which is expected to challenge Trenitalia on core routes

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Cover Story Wed, 5 Oct 2011 11:31:00 GMT 28230
EU rail open in theory - but barriers remain https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/28225/eu-rail-open-in-theory--but-barriers-remain

There is a need to remove the inconsistencies and to have a symmetrical market operating across the 27 countries, ”Johann Metzner DB’s Head of Transport Policy told this summer’s House of Lords inquiry into European rail services.“ In some cases the independence of national regulators has even been called into question, while in others, the lack of effective separation between infrastructure and operations has  led to suggestions that questionable mechanisms are bei

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Cover Story Detail Wed, 5 Oct 2011 11:00:00 GMT 28225
ORR calls for reforms to enable more open access rail competition https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/28213/orr-calls-for-reforms-to-enable-more-open-access-rail-competition The Office of Rail Regulation has proposed that reforms should be made to open the railway to greater on-track competition. These would include reserving increased numbers of train paths for open access operators, loosening regulations to make it easier to approve applications from open access operators and reforming charging regimes so that open access operators benefiting from looser regulations pay higher track access fees. This could result in train paths on intercity rail lines being aucti

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Rail News Tue, 4 Oct 2011 16:11:00 GMT 28213
ORR warns Network Rail over punctuality levels https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/28003/orr-warns-network-rail-over-punctuality-levels The Office of Rail Regulation has warned Network Rail to improve punctuality across several areas of the rail network. The warning came as ORR’s latest Network Rail Monitor publication highlighted that Network Rail is falling behind key end-of-year punctuality targets, including long distance passenger services where it is 3.4% adrift. Whilst ORR recognised that train passengers generally experience a good level of performance, it called on Network Rail and train operators to work close

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Rail News Wed, 14 Sep 2011 10:19:00 GMT 28003
Social media gives new roles for smart travellers https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/27253/social-media-gives-new-roles-for-smart-travellers Social media is paving the way for a multi-modal user-driven one-stop-shop for travel information at the core of ‘smart cities’, ITS UK’s Public Transport Interest Group heard at its May meeting. Consultant Steer Davis Gleave’s Head of Design, Phil Berczuk, was highlighting openings for new forms of dynamic journey planning. The travelling public, he said, is “a valuable source of real time data, even if they are unaware of it”. The rise in smart phone popular

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Future Thu, 7 Jul 2011 08:28:00 GMT 27253
HS2 could be crucial test of NRs consultancy ambitions https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/27251/hs2-could-be-crucial-test-of-nr-s-consultancy-ambitions Just a month after New Transit suggested that the reforms outlined in the McNulty review of the UK rail industry could provide Network Rail with a unique perspective from which to build an overseas consultancy business, the company announced plans to do just that. The UK rail Infrastructure owner and operator is intending to launch a separate   business by April next year, and part of its brief will be to offer consultancy services to overseas clients, drawing on existing expertise an

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Business Thu, 7 Jul 2011 08:14:00 GMT 27251
Framework bids requested by TfGM https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/27149/framework-bids-requested-by-tfgm Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is inviting expressions of interest from consultants for a four-year framework with an estimated value of £35m-£80m. The framework will begin next May and is a consolidation of two existing frameworks that expire early next year. It will provide TfGM with an approved list of service providers for ad hoc pieces of work not covered by long-term, project-specific contracts. Other PTEs and umbrella organisations will also be able to use the frame

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Products & Services Thu, 30 Jun 2011 16:45:00 GMT 27149
Partners to support Nexus rapid transit plan https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/27148/partners-to-support-nexus-rapid-transit-plan The Tyne and Wear PTE Nexus is to commission consultants to help develop a long-term strategy for either expanding the Metro’s coverage or introducing new forms of rail-based transit. The study will consider expanding Metro, constructing light rail or introducing tram-trains in eight corridors including Seaham-Sunderland city centre - South Shields and Newcastle – West Newcastle . Consultants will not be required to evaluate bus-based alternatives. The study will build on the Proje

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Products & Services Thu, 30 Jun 2011 16:44:00 GMT 27148
West of England rapid transit project seeks DfT funding https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/27147/west-of-england-rapid-transit-project-seeks-dft-funding

Transport consultant Steer Davies Gleave is working with the West of England Partnership office — comprising Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Councils — to seek funding from the Department of Transport for rapid transit routes. Funding is available for major transport schemes across the country. The new routes would provide services that link residential areas, shopping, work, leisure and district centres, as well as helping to t

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Products & Services Thu, 30 Jun 2011 16:43:00 GMT 27147
ORR brings in Ross as new director https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/26873/orr-brings-in-ross-as-new-director

Cathryn Ross has joined the office of Rail Regulator (ORR) as executive director of railway markets and economics. Ross currently holds a board-level position at water regulator Ofwat, and is an experienced economist who has worked in a number of different sectors advising both private and public sector bodies on economic, regulatory and competition issues. The incoming ORR chief executive, Richard Price said: “Cathryn Ross is joining us as at a crucial time for the rail industry. She wil

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People Thu, 2 Jun 2011 09:29:00 GMT 26873
University to host new UMTC operation https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/26463/university-to-host-new-umtc-operation Newcastle University will be the host to Tyne & Wear’s new Urban Traffic Management and Control Services, which comes into operation in May. Transport consultants Mott MacDonald and Transport Technology Services are overseeing the integration of the existing Intelligent Transportation Systems in all five metropolitan districts and public with PTE Nexus onto a common database. Various applications being integrated include parking guidance systems, urban traffic control systems, vehicl

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In brief Thu, 28 Apr 2011 12:52:00 GMT 26463
JMP retains contract with six county councils https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/26462/jmp-retains-contract-with-six-county-councils Transoprt planner JMP has been reappointed to manage TRICS for a further seven years. TRICS is managed on behalf of six county councils, including Dorset, East Sussex, Hampshire, Kent, Surrey, East Sussex and West Sussex. TRICS is the national standard system of trip generation using long established methods of multi-modal data collection enhanced with comprehensive information on travel plan details to produce robust travel plan survey results. 

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In brief Thu, 28 Apr 2011 12:51:00 GMT 26462
Blackpool tramway upgrade may feature network extension https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/26461/blackpool-tramway-upgrade-may-feature-network-extension

Transport consultants Steer Davies Gleave and Mott MacDonald have been appointed by Blackpool Borough Council to explore options for extending the resort’s tramway system. Currently the tram system is undergoing a major infrastructure upgrade through the Fylde Coast transport project. Options under investigation include examining the integration of the tram with other transport infrastructure in the town and beyond. Also under consideration is extending the tram network to serve Blackpoo

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Light Rail News Thu, 28 Apr 2011 12:40:00 GMT 26461
Operators face fines over passenger information https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/26449/operators-face-fines-over-passenger-information The Office of Rail Regulation will require train operators to publish plans to improve passenger information and hit them with penalties for poor performance, as a result of reforms currently being discussed by the industry. Amendments to operators’ and Network Rail’s licences proposed in the ORR’s new consultation document will include: making  it clear that train operators have lead responsibility for getting appropriate, accurate, timely information to passengers; ensu

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Rail News Thu, 28 Apr 2011 12:00:00 GMT 26449
Rail industry faces penalties for failure to improve passenger information https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/26185/rail-industry-faces-penalties-for-failure-to-improve-passenger-information The Office of Rail Regulation will require train operators to publish plans to improve passenger information and hit them with penalties for poor performance, as a result of reforms currently being discussed by the industry. Amendments to operators’ and Network Rail’s licences proposed in the ORR’s new consultation document will: Make it clear that train operators have lead responsibility for getting appropriate, accurate, timely information to passengers. Confi

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Rail News Tue, 29 Mar 2011 12:55:00 GMT 26185
ATOC proposals would cut out DfT involvement in intercity rail contracts https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/25964/atoc-proposals-would-cut-out-dft-involvement-in-intercity-rail-contracts The Association of Train Operating Companies has called for a debate on the future of intercity train operating contracts. It has suggested that they could be let as concessions with bundles of track access rights awarded by the Office of Rail Regulation. This would replace the current franchising regime run by the Department for Transport. The change would see intercity train paths auctioned with the proceeds going to the DfT. Operators would then run services and develop infrastructure at the

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Rail News Thu, 10 Mar 2011 10:13:00 GMT 25964
West Coast open access proposals rejected https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/25881/west-coast-open-access-proposals-rejected The Office of Rail Regulation has rejected applications from open access operators  Grand Central and Alliance Rail Holdings to run services on the West Coast Main Line. An application from Grand Central to operate from Euston to Blackpool was rejected on the grounds that it would take business and revenue away from existing operators without adequate offsetting benefits from providing new destinations with a direct link to the capital. An application from Alliance to operate services betw

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Rail News Thu, 3 Mar 2011 09:40:00 GMT 25881
Station usage a fascinating insight https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/25770/station-usage-a-fascinating-insight

Every year the ORR publishes station usage data which provides a fascinating insight into use of the rail sector. The latest figures for 2009-10 have just been published and while they come with some caveats about the reliability of the data they are still worthy of analysis. According to the data 2.13 billion entries and exits were made through 2,525 stations (that is 1.065bn people used the network) in 2009-10. That is down by 0.8% over 2008-9 which is not bad given the severity of the recess

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Viewpoint Mon, 14 Feb 2011 11:03:00 GMT 25770
24 John Fingleton https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/25633/24-john-fingleton

Why is he on the list? The OFT has a big influence on public transport in the UK. Fingleton and his colleagues assess whether markets work well for consumers. Critics accuse the OFT of applying rigid economic theories that do not relate to the realities of markets. What kind of year has he had? In 2009 the OFT launched its market study into the supply of local bus services and this concluded that there was evidence to suggest that limited competition may be leading to higher prices for bus us

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Articles Thu, 3 Feb 2011 16:55:00 GMT 25633
13 Anna Walker https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/25621/13-anna-walker

Why is she on the list? Walker heads the Office of Rail Regulation, the independent safety and economic regulator of Britain's railways. What kind of year has she had? Less eventful than it could have been. Conservative sabre rattling in opposition never led to proposals for significant rail budget reductions. It has saved Walker from having to defend the industry’s five-year settlement or finding a way round complex legal issues in order to cut it. A generally low profile. Does that in

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Articles Thu, 3 Feb 2011 16:42:00 GMT 25621
9 Sir Roy McNulty https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/25616/9-sir-roy-mcnulty Why is he on the list? The former chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority is conducting an independent review of the rail industry’s costs. This review is jointly sponsored by the Department for Transport and the Office of Rail Regulation. What kind of year has he had? Following his appointment by former transport secretary Lord Adonis, McNulty started work on his study of rail value for money in February 2010. His interim submission to transport secretary Philip Hammond, published la

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Articles Thu, 3 Feb 2011 16:36:00 GMT 25616
McNultys rail value review is now getting somewhere https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/25567/mcnulty-s-rail-value-review-is-now-getting-somewhere

Sir Roy McNulty, chairman of the Rail Value for Money Study, may be a class act, but like every other leader of a "what is wrong with the railway" review, he started off by complaining about leadership, complicated tickets, lack of innovation, misaligned incentives: all the usual guff. It is enough to make you a cynic, but after nine months work, the study is now getting somewhere. In September, ATOC set out some very sensible proposals in a document called ‘Better alignment of

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Viewpoint Thu, 3 Feb 2011 14:56:00 GMT 25567
Mouchel confirms takeover approaches https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/25080/mouchel-confirms-takeover-approaches Mouchel has confirmed that it has received takeover approaches that have led to a significant rise in its stock price. "The board does not believe that these preliminary approaches reflect the true value of the company," the group said. It follows a tough year for the the outsourcing specialist which recorded a pre-tax loss of £15m in the year to July 31. The firm blamed the collapse of its workload in the Middle East, cuts in public spending and a huge restructuring exercise f

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In brief Mon, 6 Dec 2010 11:31:00 GMT 25080
ORR to scrutinise weather disruption customer service https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/25072/orr-to-scrutinise-weather-disruption-customer-service The Office of Rail Regulation today warned that there are now no excuses for poor passenger information during disruption as it set out plans to scrutinise performance this winter. ORR will be sending specialist teams out across Britain’s rail network to assess standards of passenger information during disruption - examples of successes will be published to encourage and share best practice, as well as any evidence of those who consistently fail to meet required standards. Increased regu

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Rail News Wed, 1 Dec 2010 11:10:00 GMT 25072
Bill Emery to stand down as chief executive of ORR https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/24851/bill-emery-to-stand-down-as-chief-executive-of-orr

Bill Emery has announced his intention to step down as chief executive of the Office of Rail Regulation in June 2011. He was appointed to his current role in September 2005. Prior to this Emery was director of costs and performance and chief engineer at water industry regulator Ofwat, which he joined in 1990. Before that he worked for Yorkshire Water. A chartered civil engineer, he has an engineering degree, a doctorate and an MBA.

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People Mon, 15 Nov 2010 15:02:00 GMT 24851
Dear Cat https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/24841/dear-cat--

George Osborne came of age on October 20. Whatever one may think about the rights and wrongs of the spending review, I could not but help admire his performance in the Commons when he delivered his statement. In many respects it was nakedly political, with the objective seemingly to taunt and goad Labour rather than to rise above party politics for a spending review that is one of the most severe in living memory. George Osborne has shown his political street fighting abilities, in spades. Stil

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Viewpoint Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:52:00 GMT 24841
Fine for ITPS woes https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/24799/fine-for-itps-woes Network Rail faces a £3m penalty after it breached its licence for failing to run an effective and efficient timetabling process for Britain’s rail network. The Office of Rail Regulation’s proposed financial penalty follows confirmation in September 2010 that Network Rail had breached its licence after problems arose from the introduction of the Integrated Train Planning System. The regulator's investigation into the introduction of ITPS found that, while Network Rail was righ

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Rail News Mon, 15 Nov 2010 11:44:00 GMT 24799
An audacious bid or a step too far for open access? https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/24795/an-audacious-bid-or-a-step-too-far-for-open-access- The recent media coverage given to Alliance Rail’s plans to introduce a new network of open access services on routes to the north of England from London proves, if nothing else, that managing director Ian Yeowart is a master of publicity. In effect, nothing has happened other than a track access application has been lodged for services linking Cumbria, Lancashire, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire with London, plus a trans-Pennine network between Hull and Liverpool. The plans were actually anno

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Reflections Mon, 15 Nov 2010 11:39:00 GMT 24795
ORR fines Network Rail 3m for Integrated Train Planning System problems https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/24553/orr-fines-network-rail-3m-for-integrated-train-planning-system-problems

Network Rail faces a £3m penalty after it breached its licence for failing to run an effective and efficient timetabling process for Britain’s rail network, the Office of Rail Regulation announced today. The proposed financial penalty follows confirmation in September 2010 that Network Rail had breached its licence after problems arose from the introduction of the Integrated Train Planning System for the May 2010 timetable. System faults left some operators temporarily unable to p

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Rail News Thu, 28 Oct 2010 10:31:00 GMT 24553
Emery to step down as chief executive of the Office of Rail Regulation https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/24540/emery-to-step-down-as-chief-executive-of-the-office-of-rail-regulation

Bill Emery has announced his intention to step down as chief executive of the Office of Rail Regulation in June 2011. Commenting on his decision, Emery said: “I have had a great five years at ORR and it has been a privilege to lead it through a period of significant change. During this time the rail industry has achieved best ever levels of performance and safety and we have made substantial improvements to the regulatory regime to enable Network Rail and its industry partners rise to the

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People Fri, 22 Oct 2010 11:10:00 GMT 24540
Stagecoach calls for UK rail reforms https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/24508/stagecoach-calls-for-uk-rail-reforms Stagecoach has warned that changes to the system of rail franchising alone will not deliver improved value for money to taxpayers and a better service to train passengers. The transport group said the scope of the Government's consultation on future franchising was not wide enough. It should take account of Sir Roy McNulty's value for money review and also address the structure, revenues and costs of the wider industry, including Network Rail. Stagecoach, which has an involvement in running

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Rail News Tue, 19 Oct 2010 11:34:00 GMT 24508
Whose job is it to look at net cost of running a railway? https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/24094/whose-job-is-it-to-look-at-net-cost-of-running-a-railway-

Even on holiday, someone would lean across the table, retsina in hand, wine dark sea behind, the perfume from hot thyme in the air and say, “the mistake you made was to separate running the trains from managing the network”. “No,” I would say, “you’ve got to break bulk somewhere and the train-track split is as good a place as any; besides, it’s European law. But look, look, over there, there’s a party going on, let’s go and join them.&rdquo

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Viewpoint Fri, 3 Sep 2010 14:35:00 GMT 24094
A strategic vision for the railway is needed https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/23399/a-strategic-vision-for-the-railway-is-needed

In his article on open access Paul Salveson argues that it adds value to today's railway. He presses the right buttons about competition, supposedly-neglected towns and little companies against the big boys. He declares his interest. I declare mine, as a railwayman who questions where the public interest lies. It is time for some counter-propositions. The article ignores concerns about differing access charges for franchised and open-access operators; the problem that open-access business model

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Letters Thu, 1 Jul 2010 14:55:00 GMT 23399
DfT's Mitchell revealed as Civil Service high earner https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/22844/dft-s-mitchell-revealed-as-civil-service-high-earner

The coalition government today revealed the salaries of 172 civil servants whose salaries are higher than that of the prime minister (£150,000). The list reveals that a number of civil servant high earners in the transport sector. Topping the list is Dr Mike Mitchell, the former FirstGroup executive who is the Department for Transport's head of national networks. The government's document, which was revealed by the Cabinet Office this morning, discloses that Mitchell earns between £

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People Lead Story Tue, 1 Jun 2010 15:54:00 GMT 22844
Open access Reaching parts that others dont https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/22806/open-access-reaching-parts-that-others-don-t

“We’ve waited 40 years for this! What took you so long?” the owner of Brighouse’s  station café joked with the driver of the first train to London for decades, on the morning of Sunday, May 23. Lots of people from the town came along to wave off Grand Central’s 08.18 to London King’s Cross. A few days earlier MPs, councillors, business people and community groups had travelled on a special from Bradford down to London. One Halifax politician co

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Viewpoint Tue, 1 Jun 2010 13:21:00 GMT 22806
DLR operator fined 450k https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/22789/dlr-operator-fined-450k Safety Serco, the operator of the Docklands Light Railway, has been fined £450,000 and ordered to pay £43,773 costs by the Office of Rail Regulation, following a serous breach of health and safety. The case stemmed from the death of Robert Carter who fell onto the DLR tracks after an altercation with a fellow passenger and was subsequently struck by a train in April 2007. The ORR investigated and found that Serco had insufficient procedures in place for stopping trains in an emerge

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Light Rail News Tue, 1 Jun 2010 11:51:00 GMT 22789
New OFT bus probe https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/22783/new-oft-bus-probe The OFT has revealed that it will include the bus industry in its investigation into the control and ownership of the UK’s economic infrastructure. The new inquiry will look into the impact of changing ownership on Britain’s infrastructure and will examine all forms of ownership including private equity, statutory corporations and investment funds.

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Bus News Tue, 1 Jun 2010 11:33:00 GMT 22783
Stagecoach welcomes Preston Bus verdict https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/22782/stagecoach-welcomes-preston-bus-verdict Stagecoach has welcomed a ruling by the Competition Appeal Tribunal following an appeal against the Competition Commission’s decision to force the group to divest itself of the Preston Bus business. The Perth-based group says that it will take time to consider the CAT’s verdict and look at how the judgement will affect the divestment process. Stagecoach has been proceeding with the planned sale of the business with several interested parties understood to be keen to acquire the bus

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Bus News Tue, 1 Jun 2010 11:33:00 GMT 22782
Stagecoach considers next move after competition appeal success https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/22687/stagecoach-considers-next-move-after-competition-appeal-success

Stagecoach says that it is considering its options after the Competition Appeal Tribunal agreed with some elements of its appeal against the Competition Commission's investigation into the acquisition of Preston Bus. The move could see the forced divestment of the business, which was ordered last year in the wake of the purchase of Preston Bus by Stagecoach in early 2009, suspended. The Perth-based group says that it is now considering its next move. A Stagecoach spokesman said: "We welc

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Bus News Mon, 24 May 2010 10:23:00 GMT 22687
Coalition government announces its plans for transport https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/22685/coalition-government-announces-its-plans-for-transport

The coalition between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives has announced its 'Programme for Government', a move that prime minister David Cameron described as one that would provide "Strong, stable government". The transport element of the programme are a mixture of the two parties policies and express a firm commitment to take forward plans for a high speed rail network, support for Crossrail and further electrification of the rail network. The coalition also plans to refor

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News Lead Story Thu, 20 May 2010 10:57:00 GMT 22685
Serco fined 450000 for DLR incident https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/22601/serco-fined-450-000-for-dlr-incident Docklands Light Railway operator Serco was today fined £450,000 and ordered to pay £43,773 costs, following a prosecution for a serious health and safety offence brought by the Office of Rail Regulation. The incident resulted in the death of a member of the public, Robert Carter, who fell onto the track and was struck by a train. Today’s sentencing follows a guilty verdict at Southwark Crown Court at the end of April. The ORR prosecution followed an incident in April 2007 a

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Light Rail News Wed, 12 May 2010 16:21:00 GMT 22601
Preston Bus heading back into employee ownership? https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/22600/preston-bus-heading-back-into-employee-ownership-

The sale of Preston Bus by Stagecoach could take place within weeks according to local media reports. The Lancashire Evening Post revealed yesterday that an employee-led group, bidding as Preston Transport Ltd and which has already attracted financial backing from Preston Council, has been included in a shortlist of potential buyers for the firm following "an indicative bidding process" in March. Preston Bus was acquired from its employees in early 2009 following a competitive incurs

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Bus News Wed, 12 May 2010 16:05:00 GMT 22600
DLR operator found guilty of health and safety offence https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/22482/dlr-operator-found-guilty-of-health-and-safety-offence A jury at Southwark Crown Court today (Friday) found Serco, the operator of the Docklands Light Railway, guilty of a serious health and safety offence following a prosecution brought by the Office of Rail Regulation. The incident resulted in the death of a member of the public, Robert Carter, who fell onto the track and was struck by a train. The ORR prosecution followed an incident on April 2 2007 at All Saints DLR station. During an altercation between Carter and another person, he was pushed

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Light Rail News Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:41:00 GMT 22482
Atkins reveals designs for Hong Kong's Hung Hom Station https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/22424/atkins-reveals-designs-for-hong-kong-s-hung-hom-station

Consultancy Atkins has revealed preliminary designs for the new Hung Hom Station on the Shatin to Central Link of Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway (MTR), on which it is now undertaking detailed design work. The line will form part of the link between Hong Kong Island and Mainland China. Atkins’ role on the line also includes lead consultant for the preliminary design studies on the North South Corridor and sub-consultant on preliminary design of the East-West Corridor. The company

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Rail News Thu, 29 Apr 2010 13:53:00 GMT 22424
TRL recruits Grimsey to lead on rail development https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/22414/trl-recruits-grimsey-to-lead-on-rail-development Consultancy TRL has announced the appointment of Mike Grimsey to the role of programme development director - rail. Grimsey joins from Jacobs UK where he was an operations director but has over 20 years experience of highway, rail and transportation infrastructure, gained in both contracting and consulting, within public and private sector markets. In his new role at TRL, Grimsey will build upon the firm’s successful expansion into the rail sector, by developing even stronger  rela

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People Thu, 29 Apr 2010 13:12:00 GMT 22414
Moore takes charge as Ash quits MVA https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/22411/moore-takes-charge-as-ash-quits-mva Consultancy MVA has named Derek Moore as its new chief executive. His appointment follows the sudden departure of Nigel Ash from the firm for personal reasons. Moore was formerly MVA’s divisional director of business consulting, however prior to this he held roles with IBM Global Business Services and PwC Consulting. He has been tasked with the continued growth of MVA, which has 250 staff in Europe and the Middle East.

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People Thu, 29 Apr 2010 13:10:00 GMT 22411
'Lack of profitability deterring bus industry competition' https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/22012/-lack-of-profitability-deterring-bus-industry-competition-

The real barrier to entry in the deregulated local bus market is profitability or lack of it according to a submission made by transport consultancy TAS Partnership to the Competition Commission as part of its ongoing local bus market investigation. The verdict is part of a submission sent to the Commission before Easter and based on the wide range of projects that the Preston-based consultancy has undertaken in the market over the last two decades. It warns the Commission that new entrants c

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Bus News Lead Story Thu, 8 Apr 2010 10:26:00 GMT 22012
Post Election Where will the axe fall on Transport Spending? https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/21861/post-election-where-will-the-axe-fall-on-transport-spending-

At present, the situation facing the UK’s public services is akin to a phoney war. Central government spending has continued to rise in an effort to bring the country out of recession, but shortly after the election decisive action will have to be taken to rectify the country’s £170bn budget deficit. To date the government is working on the basis of halving it by 2014. The day when change comes is fast approaching. Over the past year, transport has been one of the beneficiarie

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Cover Story Thu, 1 Apr 2010 10:12:00 GMT 21861
ORR makes further non-exec appointment https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/21914/orr-makes-further-non-exec-appointment The Office of Rail Regulation has announced the appointment of Mike Lloyd to its board as a non-executive director. His appointment is for five years after he took up his position at the start of March. Lloyd has wide experience in engineering, manufacturing and supply chain roles and is the group managing director of aero engine firm Rolls Royce plc. Meanwhile, non-executive directors Richard Goldson and Peter Bucks accepted extensions to their term in office, however Jane May has now stepped d

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People Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:32:00 GMT 21914
Let bus users drive policy not unelected officials https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/21896/let-bus-users-drive-policy-not-unelected-officials

One fact that pollsters always report, and which fascinates me, is that as a nation we love our free-on-delivery health policy, but we don’t like the way it is delivered, until, that is, we have need of it ourselves, when our view changes and becomes significantly more positive. Whether that’s true or not (and my recent experience would certainly tell me otherwise), it may also explain that equally baffling phenomenon in which unelected public officials opine that bus services offer

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Ben Colson Wed, 24 Mar 2010 13:31:00 GMT 21896
ORR rejects Arriva plans for London rail service https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/21858/orr-rejects-arriva-plans-for-london-rail-service The Office of Rail Regulation has rejected an application by Arriva Trains Wales to introduce a direct rail service between Aberystwyth and London Marylebone. The ORR said that ATW had overstated the size of the market for such a service and the only alternative to make the service viable would be to abstract revenue from other operators.

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Rail News Wed, 24 Mar 2010 10:05:00 GMT 21858
ORR rejects Arriva bid for Mid Wales to London rail service https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/21666/orr-rejects-arriva-bid-for-mid-wales-to-london-rail-service

The Office of Rail Regulation has rejected an application by Arriva Trains Wales to introduce a direct rail service between Aberystwyth and London Marylebone. In rejecting the application, the ORR said that ATW had overstated the size of the potential market for such a service and the only alternative to make the service viable would be to abstract revenue from other operators. ATW said that the main focus of the proposal was to unlock the potential of the Mid Wales rail market which has no di

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Rail News Tue, 2 Mar 2010 10:30:00 GMT 21666
ORR makes non-exec board appointments https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/21647/orr-makes-non-exec-board-appointments The Office of Rail Regulation has announced the appointments of Tracey Barlow and Steve Walker to the board as non-executive directors. The appointments are for five years, and they will take up their positions with immediate effect. Barlow is an independent consultant specialising in business development and capital programme management, working mainly in the water and energy utility markets. She is chairman of a waste to energy technology business based near Southampton and is a non- executiv

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People Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:05:00 GMT 21647
OFT finds fault in Arriva and Go Ahead bus transactions but allows deals to proceed https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/21507/oft-finds-fault-in-arriva-and-go-ahead-bus-transactions-but-allows-deals-to-proceed The Office of Fair Trading has today exercised its discretion not to refer to the Competition Commission two acquisitions by Go Ahead and Arriva in the North East of England. Arriva and Go Ahead entered into two separate agreements to transfer local bus routes - including related assets and staff - around Hexham and Ashington in Northumberland. The OFT concluded that each transaction gave rise to a realistic prospect of a substantial lessening of competition. The principal concern created by t

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Bus News Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:13:00 GMT 21507
East coast operators win extra services from ORR https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/21506/east-coast-operators-win-extra-services-from-orr

The Office of Rail Regulation has today approved track access applications giving train companies rights to run additional and/or amended passenger services on the East Coast Main Line. Following industry-wide consultation, new access rights on the ECML will allow East Coast and open access operators Grand Central and Hull Trains to run more trains and improve services for passengers. John Thomas, ORR’s director railway markets and economics said: “Today’s announcement will b

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Rail News Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:05:00 GMT 21506
Uncertain times for buses in the years ahead https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/18762/uncertain-times-for-buses-in-the-years-ahead

Mid December brought the ministerial statement on the future of subsidy to the bus industry, followed swiftly three festive and snowy weeks later by the announcement by the Office of Fair Trading that it is to refer the market to the Competition Commission. At one level, then, the year has started with two major policy uncertainties being clarified, but actually not so. The bus industry remains in a state of uncertainty, and will do so for some years, as a result of either one of these announc

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Ben Colson Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:00:00 GMT 18762
Are they too different to have a dialogue? https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/18735/are-they-too-different-to-have-a-dialogue-

Partnership is the key to making local bus services successful in Britain. There is little that can be achieved without an ongoing dialogue between bus companies and local authorities. ln too many areas, however, this dialogue is not occurring. There is either silence, or worse, public discord. Why? The examples of strong partnerships are well known. Brighton, Oxford, York and Cambridge all benefit from the continuous dialogue between their bus companies and local authorities. So what’s h

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Cover Story Wed, 27 Jan 2010 09:00:00 GMT 18735
Mottram and Shooter recognised in honours https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/18782/mottram-and-shooter-recognised-in-honours

A number of figures within the transport industry have received gongs in the New Year’s Honours List. Stuart Baker, deputy director, national projects, rail and national networks at the Department for Transport has been awarded an OBE, as has Heidi Mottram, the outgoing managing director of Northern Rail, who is to leave the TOC in the coming months to join Northumbrian Water as chief executive. MBEs have been bestowed on Peter Roberts, the chairman of the Association of Community Rail P

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People Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:13:00 GMT 18782
Ryanair serves a dish best served cold https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/18778/ryanair-serves-a-dish-best-served-cold

Bus operators peeved by the recent decision by the Office of Fair Trading to refer local bus services to the Competition Commission may want to take a leaf from Ryanair’s book. Last month, the airline released one million £4 ‘Fingleton Fares’, named after John Fingleton, the chief executive of the OFT, to prove the airline is “the best thing to happen to the British consumer since sliced bread”. Ryanair made the move after the competition chief blasted the

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End of the line Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:02:00 GMT 18778
Bus referral to Competition Commission is needed and I am over the moon https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/18761/-bus-referral-to-competition-commission-is-needed-and-i-am-over-the-moon-

When a private company engages in unfair practices to maintain a dominant market position, that’s disappointing - but understandable. Public companies have shareholders to pacify. They are more often than not, owned by pension funds that need profits to keep the elderly heated warmed and fed. It’s not difficult to see why they have sometimes tried to keep their best routes free of competition. After all, these are the geese that lay golden eggs.   But what if the governme

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The Big Question Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:57:00 GMT 18761
OFT referral of bus services The evidence on bus fares is flaky https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/18760/oft-referral-of-bus-services--the-evidence-on-bus-fares-is-flaky-

We wouldn’t disagree that overall public transport fares are far too high in this country. That is an institutional thing that affects all modes. The evidence that lack of competition is the factor driving up bus fares is flaky, and it should be remembered that better fare deals are available through day tickets and return fares. These are both undermined when a multiplicity of operators provides a service, so while single cash fares may be higher, the overall travel package may well be

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The Big Question Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:55:00 GMT 18760
The OFT hasnt helped consumers by referring local bus services to the Competition Commission https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/18759/-the-oft-hasn-t-helped-consumers-by-referring-local-bus-services-to-the-competition-commission

Because the deregulated bus market does not fit the OFT’s ideal business model, it has launched an investigation. But has the OFT protected the consumer? The public wants a properly integrated transport network but threats of dawn raids by the OFT have stifled initiatives by operators to integrate headways and fares. If an operator launches into competition, OFT appears to like that, but if the competitor then knocks out the weaker or smaller operator, OFT often launches an investigation.

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The Big Question Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:54:00 GMT 18759
OFT's bus referral is a costly and unnecessary distraction https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/18758/oft-s-bus-referral-is-a-costly-and-unnecessary-distraction-

The local bus market is very competitive. We compete with large and small operators in towns and cities across the UK and, of course, we are competing against private cars. Passenger satisfaction is very high – and growing –now standing at 84% in metropolitan areas and 79% in London. We are concerned about the timing – this could become an unnecessary and costly distraction from the objective of improving traffic congestion by attracting people out of cars and onto local bus s

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The Big Question Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:49:00 GMT 18758
OFT local bus referral 'cant come as a surprise to anyone https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/18757/oft-local-bus-referral-can-t-come-as-a-surprise-to-anyone-

It can hardly be a surprise to anyone that the competition authorities are going to take a long hard look at the way a market which has been divided up by large companies is operating. The OFT has also set out some clear examples of how local monopolies can be detrimental for fares and the costs of tendered services. The big question now is what remedies the Competition Commission might apply. Attempting to trigger more on-street competition would be a cure that’s worse than the disease.

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The Big Question Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:47:00 GMT 18757
Was the OFT right to refer local bus services to the Competition Commission? https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/18756/was-the-oft-right-to-refer-local-bus-services-to-the-competition-commission-

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The Big Question Title Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:46:00 GMT 18756
Hard to be optimistic about bus industry health https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/18743/-hard-to-be-optimistic-about-bus-industry-health

Bus operator profit margins edged up slightly in 2007/08 but remained lower than they were in the 1990s recession, according to the latest industry report by consultant the TAS Partnership. TAS said that a “double whammy of rising real-term costs and falling productivity is depressing bus industry profits” as it highlighted that the industry’s profit margin, at 6.9%, while higher than in 2006/07, was lower than at any other time since 1994. TAS says it is “difficult to

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Market Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:26:00 GMT 18743
Bus industry investment at lowest level for 15 years says new report https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/18739/bus-industry-investment-at-lowest-level-for-15-years-says-new-report Capital investment in the UK bus industry fell to its lowest level for 15 years in 2007/08, even before the recession and credit crunch took hold of the economy, according to new analysis from transport consultants TAS. TAS undertakes independent monitoring of the UK bus industry and tracks both the capital expenditure of 118 local bus operators and the total purchases of new bus and coaches as well as trends in revenues, costs and profit levels. The latest analysis has just been published, an

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Feature Detail Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:04:00 GMT 18739
Bus groups respond to OFT's competition decision https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/18574/bus-groups-respond-to-oft-s-competition-decision Scottish-based transport groups First and Stagecoach have responded to the Office of Fair Trading's decision to refer the local bus market outside London and Northern Ireland to the Competition Commission. FirstGroup said that although unwelcome, the OFT's decision was not a surprise. "FirstGroup believes that the local bus market is very competitive," said a spokesman. "We compete with large and small bus operators in towns and cities across the UK and, of course, we are also c

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Bus News Thu, 7 Jan 2010 15:08:00 GMT 18574
OFT refers UK bus market to Competition Commission https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/18573/oft-refers-uk-bus-market-to-competition-commission

The Office of Fair Trading has referred UK local bus services, excluding London and Northern Ireland, to the Competition Commission.  This decision follows consultation on the results of an OFT market study into the industry. The study found evidence that limited competition between bus operators tends to result in higher prices and lower quality for bus users and may represent poor value for money for taxpayers. The study identified a number of features of local bus markets that could pr

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Bus News Thu, 7 Jan 2010 10:36:00 GMT 18573
24 John Fingleton https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/18532/24-john-fingleton

Why is he on the list? The OFT has a big influence on public transport in the UK. Fingleton and his colleagues assess whether markets work well for consumers. Critics accuse the OFT of applying rigid economic theories that do not relate to the realities of markets. What kind of year has he had? Fingleton incurred the wrath of the bus industry in March 2009 when the OFT launched its market study into the supply of local bus services. Six months later the OFT said there was evidence to suggest

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Articles Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:37:00 GMT 18532
12 Anna Walker https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/18520/12-anna-walker

Why is she on the list? Walker heads the Office of Rail Regulation, the independent safety and economic regulator of Britain's railways. What kind of year has she had? She was appointed in March 2009, having previously been chief executive of the Healthcare Commission and deputy director at OFTEL. It has been a gentle year to settle in. Her mettle will be tested in 2010. What’s coming up in 2010? Walker must ensure Network Rail does not delay renewals works any further and that ORR pl

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Articles Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:24:00 GMT 18520
Who pulls the strings? https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/18475/who-pulls-the-strings-

The New Transit ‘Power 50’ list shows the most powerful and influential people in public transport. As with any assessment of the most powerful people, companies and institutions, it will inevitably provoke an array of questions. Do the ‘Big Five’ transport groups wield more power than the government? Do ministers or civil servants hold the whip hand in the Department for Transport? Do local government’s representatives or the negotiators from the transport indust

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Cover Story Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:29:00 GMT 18475
ORR outlines initiatives to cut level crossing accidents https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/18298/orr-outlines-initiatives-to-cut-level-crossing-accidents

The Office of Rail Regulation today outlined a series of initiatives aimed at reducing the risks of accidents at level crossings. Level crossing misuse poses a safety risk to those travelling by rail, road and foot. ORR is also clear that safety at level crossings needs to be continuously improved. To help the rail industry best mitigate risks, the regulator has set out its short, medium and long-term work, including: Continued support of the Law Commissions’ work to update level c

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Rail News Thu, 3 Dec 2009 11:41:00 GMT 18298
The right decision in Preston? https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/18214/the-right-decision-in-preston-

it was perhaps expected that Stagecoach would react somewhat angrily to the news last month that the Competition Commission was forcing the Perth-based group to sell its recently acquired Preston Bus business, and react it did. In a furious statement, the group said that it “fundamentally “ disagreed with the order that it dispose of the 200-vehicle business that it fought so hard to buy. Of course buying Preston Bus was not just any old transaction. The decision by the operator&rsq

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Business Lead Story Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:00:00 GMT 18214
Crossrail cancellation could cost 16bn to taxpayer https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/18103/crossrail-cancellation-could-cost-1-6bn-to-taxpayer

Cancelling the Crossrail project next summer would cost the public purse over £1bn it has been revealed. Liberal Democrat shadow transport minister Norman Baker asked transport minister Sadiq Khan what the cost to the taxpayer would be if the scheme was cancelled in June 2010. Khan responded that the government remained fully committed to delivering the Crossrail project and that good progress has been made since the launch of the main construction works in May this year. However, if th

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Rail News Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:51:00 GMT 18103
Stagecoach told to sell Preston Bus by Competition Commission https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/18098/stagecoach-told-to-sell-preston-bus-by-competition-commission

The Competition Commission has ruled that Stagecoach must sell Preston to a competing company, after concluding its inquiry into the acquisition of the firm. Stagecoach acquired Preston Bus earlier this year from its management and employee owners. It followed a two year period of intense competition in the city between the two operators which resulted in intervention from North West traffic commissioner Berverly Bell and questions asked in the House of Commons. However, today the CC concluded

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Bus News Lead Story Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:46:00 GMT 18098
Rail passenger complaints hit lowest level ever according to ORR report https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/17903/rail-passenger-complaints-hit-lowest-level-ever-according-to-orr-report The number of passenger complaints are their lowest since records began according to new statistics published by the Office of Rail Regulation today. The figures, published in updated complaints and freight chapters of the National Rail Trends publication, show that there were 46 complaints per 100,000 passenger journeys in Q1 2009-2010 (which broadly covers April - June 2009) - the lowest the figure has been since the data was first collected in 1999. The updated statistics also show:

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Rail News Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:50:00 GMT 17903
Competition Commission clears Stagecoach's bus purchases https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/17900/competition-commission-clears-stagecoach-s-bus-purchases

The Competition Commission has cleared Stagecoach’s purchase of two bus companies in Eastbourne.    The Perth-based group acquired council-owned Eastbourne Buses and local rival Cavendish Motor Services earlier this and the the Office of Fair Trading made the decision to refer the purchases to the Competition Commission in May. However, since Stagecoach had only a small presence in Eastbourne before the merger, the focus of the investigation has considered whether there

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Bus News Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:25:00 GMT 17900
Success on the agenda for Grand Central? https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/17884/success-on-the-agenda-for-grand-central-

Of all the new entrants to the embryonic open access rail market, Grand Central had something of a long drawn-out labour. After a decade-long struggle, and numerous applications to begin a variety of services, Grand Central finally opened for business in?December 2007 with a restricted service linking Sunderland and London via the Durham coast line and York. The decision to allow the Grand Central to begin operations was memorably branded “arrogant”, “stupid” and “

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Progress Report Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:27:00 GMT 17884
Ferry firms cleared in competition investigation https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/17864/ferry-firms-cleared-in-competition-investigation

The Office of Fair Trading decides to investigate a whole transport sector on the basis that there are a handful of operators, amidst accusations of high fares and poor standards of customer service. Sound familiar? No, not the bus industry (this time), but the cross-Solent ferry market. Last year Andrew Turner, the Isle of Wight’s MP submitted a complaint to the OFT, supported by 8,000 signatures of local residents, asking for the operators who maintain the vital links between the islan

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Market Lead Story Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:00:00 GMT 17864
New plans aim to bring open access rail services into the mainstream https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/17858/new-plans-aim-to-bring-open-access-rail-services-into-the-mainstream

Alliance Rail Holdings has called on the Office of Rail Regulation to develop a new process for judging open access applications. Potentially, a new approach could enable Alliance to bring hundreds of millions of pounds of new investment to the rail industry. Ian Yeowart, a director of Alliance, says his aim is to turn open access from a small scale business, which is generally seen as an irritant by the industry, into a major player capable of delivering investments that would be unlikely to b

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Business Lead Story Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:55:00 GMT 17858
OFT meddling led to the pub industrys problems https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/17853/oft-meddling-led-to-the-pub-industry-s-problems It’s a warning from history. This year it is 20 years since the The Supply of Beer (Tied Estate) Order and The Supply of Beer (Loan Ties, Licensed Premises and Wholesale Prices) Order, or the Beer Orders, came into force. It’s a move that many consider did a significant amount of harm to Britain’s pub trade. This sorry tale all stems from an OFT investigation and referral to what is now the Competition Commission in the 1980s. Today the UK’s deregulated bus industry is u

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Reflections Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:48:00 GMT 17853
Two new appointments at ITP transport consultancy https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/17606/two-new-appointments-at-itp-transport-consultancy Consultancy firm Integrated Transport Planning has announced two key appointments that will strengthen its team. Emilie van de Graaff has joined ITP’s Birmingham office as an associate from Worcestershire County Council where she was safe and sustainable travel manager. With a background in marketing and PR as well as sustainable transport, van de Graaf brings a unique blend of skills and experience in relating behaviour change programmes to the local authority setting. Meanwhile David B

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People Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:47:00 GMT 17606
Air Rail The areas of common ground https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/17548/air--rail-the-areas-of-common-ground-- Pricing Yield management technology used to set fares by low cost airlines has been widely adopted by train operators in a bid to maximise revenue. The technology has been successful in driving up passenger numbers. However, it is questionable how effective the systems have been in terms of generating revenue given restrictions on operators’ freedoms to adjust peak rail fares, and industry consultants believe that some train operators have not invested in the skills to operate them succes

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Cover Story Detail Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:35:00 GMT 17548
Competition authorities must start living in the real world https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/17328/competition-authorities-must-start-living-in-the-real-world

News that the Office of Fair Trading has found evidence that there might, just might, be circumstances in the UK bus industry that creates a tendency to higher fares and contract prices is completely unsurprising; show me an industry in which that is not the case. At a wedding the weekend after the news came out, a distant relation who works in the City commented “for heavens sake, they must have bigger fish to fry”. Of course they have, but they have had a thing about buses for a co

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Ben Colson Tue, 1 Sep 2009 12:38:00 GMT 17328
The OFT barking up the wrong tree https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/17291/the-oft-barking-up-the-wrong-tree It was odds on that the Office of Fair Trading would refer the UK bus market, with the exception of Northern Ireland and London to the Competition Commission for further investigation. In purely economic terms, it’s the right decision. What was once a market with a plethora of operators has been slowly consolidated to create the market we see today. The majority of the market is now in the hands of five major groups (six of Transdev is included). That’s a monopoly isn’t it? Or

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Reflections Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:38:00 GMT 17291
OFT proposes referring local bus services to Competition Commission https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/17279/oft-proposes-referring-local-bus-services-to-competition-commission

The Office of Fair Trading has proposed the referral of local bus services to the Competition Commission for more detailed investigation, following the publication of its market study into their supply. In a five-month investigation into the £3.6bn industry, the OFT found evidence to suggest that limited competition may be leading to higher prices for bus users.  The study has identified a number of features of local bus markets that could prevent, restrict or distort competition in

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Bus News Lead Story Fri, 21 Aug 2009 10:19:00 GMT 17279
ORR launches consultation on its regulation of HS1 https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/17277/orr-launches-consultation-on-its-regulation-of-hs1

The Office of Rail Regulation has today launched a consultation on its approach to the regulation of High Speed 1, the rail line between London St. Pancras and the Channel Tunnel. Bill Emery, ORR chief executive said: "The new high speed line is an important national asset, and we believe the industry needs to understand our approach in carrying out our new responsibilities. "We expect to regulate High Speed 1 so far as possible in much the same way as the national network, whil

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Rail News Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:37:00 GMT 17277
Govia retention of South Central rail franchise cleared by OFT https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/17162/govia-retention-of-south-central-rail-franchise-cleared-by-oft

Govia, the UK rail operator which is owned by Go Ahead and minority partner Keolis, has had its recent retention of the South Central rail franchise approved by the Office of Fair Trading. Further details about the verdict are awaited.

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Rail News Thu, 6 Aug 2009 17:19:00 GMT 17162
Forget the ministers local unity is what will help buses https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/17014/forget-the-ministers-local-unity-is-what-will-help-buses

I have been told that the ministerial team at transport now changes more often than at any other department of state. Whether or not that’s true, it certainly seems that way. The 2008 Local Transport Act was steered through parliament by an unprecedented succession of ministers, and is all the worse for that lack of consistency. Before the ink dried on the new act, the department was up to its tricks changing the basis of central government funding on which the industry works (see below).

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Ben Colson Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:44:00 GMT 17014
The biggest fine mess? https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/16990/the-biggest-fine-mess- The lack of an effective, long term government strategy for the transport industry is clearly visible in the history of Railtrack and Network Rail. It is no exaggeration to describe the original vision for Railtrack as predominantly a property developer that also provided railway infrastructure. This early approach was typified by senior station managers being told that railway operations were no more important to the company than stations’ Sock Shop outlets. The company’s approac

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Cover Story Detail Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:36:00 GMT 16990
Competition Is the OFT looking in the right place? https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/16982/competition-is-the-oft-looking-in-the-right-place-

Are we on the verge of a new era of collaborative partnership between transport operators and local authorities prompted by the 2008 Local Transport Act? Or a greater focus on ensuring that local transport provision is characterised by much more head-to-head competitive activity between different providers? It’s as clear as mud! Weary observers of the scene point to a long running stand off between two government agencies. The Department for Transport advocates integrated transport and co

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Reflections Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:15:00 GMT 16982
MPs may need more regulation but buses need less https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/16525/mps-may-need-more-regulation-but-buses-need-less

Here in Norfolk there’s a bus with an advert on the back describing weekly tickets reading, “So cheap even an MP wouldn’t claim it back”. It’s a terrible indictment of our nation that even the lawmakers make rules that they then break, stretch or flip to an extent that they get richer at the expense of those they govern. It is a still worse indictment of them, that their leaders now belatedly decide that they cannot be trusted to regulate their own monetary affair

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Ben Colson Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:03:00 GMT 16525
Damned if you do damned if you dont https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/16526/damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-don-t-

It is perhaps ironic that no sooner has the Office of Fair Trading announced its market study into competition within the bus industry that events in the municipal sector look set to grow the size of the very plcs they are so interested in. The recent referral of Stagecoach’s takeover of Preston Bus to the Competition Commission is the most recent example of this increased level of interest. Since my last article on the future of municipal operators, Plymouth City Council has announced i

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Inside View Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:09:00 GMT 16526
MVA updates demand forecasting handbook https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/16498/mva-s-demand-forecasting-handbook MVA has been appointed by the Association of Train Operating Companies to undertake an update of the Passenger Demand Forecasting Handbook on behalf of the whole of Britain’s rail industry. The handbook underpins almost all of the rail forecasting undertaken in Britain.

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Projects Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:53:00 GMT 16498
Passenger Focus urges less train delays https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/16306/passenger-focus-urges-less-train-delays Passenger Focus has welcomed today’s news that more trains than ever are running on time but has warned punctuality continues to be a priority for improvement for passengers. The national passenger watchdog has raised concerns that too many trains still run with delays. The latest findings from the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) show one in 10 train services are late and this is measured within five minutes for shorter distance services and ten minutes for longer distance services.

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Rail News Wed, 3 Jun 2009 15:10:00 GMT 16306
'Network Rail failed to make efficiency savings' https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/16304/-network-rail-failed-to-make-efficiency-savings-

The Office of Rail Regulation has today published its national rail review, looking back over the past five years, and Network Rail monitor covering performance over the past year. Bill Emery, ORR chief executive said: "Network Rail's performance over the past year has been mixed. "While it has met many of its regulatory targets, it has missed others. Most notably it has failed to make the efficiency savings expected of it over the five year period to April 2009, and has fallen

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Rail News Wed, 3 Jun 2009 12:09:00 GMT 16304
Stagecoach OFT's Preston referral is bizarre https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/16250/stagecoach-oft-s-preston-referral-is-bizarre-

Stagecoach has said it was dismayed at the "bizarre" decision by the Office of Fair Trading to refer its recent acquisition of Preston Bus to the Competition Commission. Les Warneford, managing director of Stagecoach UK Bus, said: “We completely disagree with the Office of Fair Trading’s decision. Preston Bus was a voluntary sale, it secured employment for many local people and passengers are getting a better value, more integrated bus service. "It is a bizarre

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Bus News Fri, 29 May 2009 09:50:00 GMT 16250
Network Rail shelves quarter of track renewals https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/16229/network-rail-shelves-quarter-of-track-renewals

Train passengers face an increase in delays and disruptions because of a funding row between Network Rail and a Government quango. Network Rail, in charge of railway infrastructure, has shelved more than a quarter of its track renewal programme after being ordered to make cost savings of just under £3bn by the Office of Rail Regulation. The postponements could lead to an increase in unscheduled delays and cancellations, as the decaying infrastructure will be more vulnerable...

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Media Monitor Wed, 27 May 2009 11:22:00 GMT 16229
Looking at the past is a chance for us to learn https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/16046/looking-at-the-past-is-a-chance-for-us-to-learn

Nostalgia, they say, ain’t what it used to be. I was going to write a heavyweight piece on the oppressive weight of regulation on the industry but I was struck by a coincidence of anniversaries the other weekend, and so have changed my plan. You probably picked up on three anniversaries over the recent holiday weekend. Without doubt the most important was the 30th anniversary of the last episode of Fawlty Towers, that monument of British television comedy.  Probably better preser

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Ben Colson Fri, 15 May 2009 11:09:00 GMT 16046
Arup wins ORR reporter contract https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/16013/arup-wins-orr-reporter-contract Arup, last week signed a three-year contract with ORR and Network Rail, to act as their data assurance, finance and efficiency reporter over Control Period 4. The Independent Reporter is critical for the successful implementation of the industry’s plans for CP4 and particularly for Network Rail’s pivotal role in delivering them. The function of the Independent Reporter is to provide assurance to ORR on the accuracy of reporting information, and to provide analysis and advice to ORR

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In brief Fri, 15 May 2009 10:10:00 GMT 16013
OFT Eastbourne referal met by disappointment from Stagecoach https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/16001/oft-eastbourne-referal-met-by-disappointment-from-stagecoach

The Office of Fair Trading has announced  that it is to refer the acquisition of council-owned bus operator Eastbourne Buses and local independent Cavendish Motor Services by Stagecoach earlier this year to the Competition Commission. The move comes just days after the OFT’s call for written comments on its decision to launch a market study into the supply of local bus services closed (Transit March 6). In a statement, the OFT said that the acquisitions had resulted in Stagecoach be

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Bus News Lead Story Fri, 15 May 2009 09:50:00 GMT 16001
Network Rail chief will not take his bonus https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/15999/network-rail-chief-will-not-take-his-bonus Network Rail’s chief executive Iain Coucher has announced that he will be forgoing any annual bonus this year. Coucher has informed the company’s remuneration committee that he has taken a personal decision to withdraw from the bonus scheme for the 2008/9. Coucher said that over the last 12 months Network Rail has met or exceeded almost all of the targets set by the Office of Rail Regulation. However, he added: “I am mindful of current sentiment, so I have taken a personal de

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In brief Fri, 15 May 2009 09:46:00 GMT 15999
Passenger is getting a bad deal from Britains railways today https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/15798/passenger-is-getting-a-bad-deal-from-britain-s-railways-today The shambles which prevailed on the railway system over Easter, the high ‘monopoly’ charges levied on passengers because of the virtual withdrawal of cheaper fares, the lack of co-operation between the Train Operating Companies, as instanced by the hostile nature of Virgin towards their competitors (Transit April 7) are evidence of the sorry state into which our railways have declined. Network Rail pay very high salaries and bonuses to its top echelon of directors, yet passengers co

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Letters to the Editor Fri, 1 May 2009 10:19:00 GMT 15798
ORR's Chris Bolt defends Network Rail bonuses https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/15664/orr-s-chris-bolt-defends-network-rail-bonuses ORR defends Network Rail bonuses Network Rail’s controversial bonus scheme has been defended by the chairman of the rail industry watchdog in the teeth of political attacks on the programme. Chris Bolt, of the Office of Rail Regulation, said it was “clearly important” that management at the company that owns Britain’s rail network was made to focus on meeting its targets. “That’s what the financial incentive plan is there to do,” he said....

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Media Monitor Tue, 21 Apr 2009 12:47:00 GMT 15664
Profits slip at Northern Rail as costs rises beat revenue https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/15648/profits-slip-at-northern-rail-as-costs-rises-beat-revenue

PROFITS fell at train operator Northern Rail back by 9% in the 52 weeks ended January 5 2008, according to the company’s annual accounts. The company operates local and inter-urban rail services throughout Northern England, including the busy urban networks in West and South Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside. Turnover rose slightly less than the prevailing rate of inflation, rising by 2.2% to £531.7m, whilst operating costs rose by 2.6%. The resulting operating profit of

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Business Monitor Fri, 17 Apr 2009 10:25:00 GMT 15648
Adonis backs Swindon to Kemble line upgrade https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/15615/adonis-backs-swindon-to-kemble-line-upgrade

The Department for Transport has backed plans to upgrade the Swindon-Kemble rail line despite funding for the £40m project being rejected by the Office of Rail Regulation. Transport minister Andrew Adonis has given his personal backing to the scheme after meeting with West of England MPs and rail lobby groups, and has announced £2.5m of funding for a study into double tracking the 12-mile stretch of track. The £2.5m for the study consists of £1.6m from the latest round

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Rail News Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:24:00 GMT 15615
As the recession bites rail competition is going to get tougher but is this for the best? https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/15492/as-the-recession-bites-rail-competition-is-going-to-get-tougher-but-is-this-for-the-best- The Office of Rail Regulation’s current study into whether there should be greater competition between train operators will no doubt gain momentum from current goings-on on the West Coast Main Line. The ORR has stated openly that it expects its study to find in favour of reforming the franchising system to allow more companies to operate on each main line route. And in a rare case where this currently occurs, Virgin has just shown the benefits for passengers, announcing large reductions i

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Business Monitor Fri, 3 Apr 2009 11:38:00 GMT 15492
Well formed competition policy for buses is wanted by some https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/15481/well-formed-competition-policy-for-buses-is-wanted-by-some Ben Colson’s point of view column (Transit March 20) contains a number of inaccurate statements. Mr Colson states that the “OFT justifies its decision in part by the number of complaints it has received about the lack of competition in the industry” but he fails to mention that, in equal measure, the OFT is responding to complaints that, even where there is competition, outcomes have been detrimental to consumers.  We made this point very clearly when we launched the stud

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Letters to the Editor Fri, 3 Apr 2009 11:03:00 GMT 15481
Cardiff Bus officially apologises for predatory action against competitor https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/15443/cardiff-bus-officially-apologises-for-predatory-action-against-competitor

Council-owned bus operator Cardiff Bus has officially apologised for predatory behaviour against a competitor at a public inquiry convened by Welsh traffic commissioner Nick Jones. The case was called after Cardiff Bus was found to have breached competition law by the Office of Fair Trading after it engaged in anti-competitive practices in 2004 against AIM-listed bus operator 2 Travel. The action was deemed to be a contributing factor in the subsequent demise of 2 Travel. Last November the OFT

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Bus News Lead Story Fri, 3 Apr 2009 10:13:00 GMT 15443
Madness is not a word to be used lightly but the OFTs bus investigation is just that https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/15348/madness-is-not-a-word-to-be-used-lightly-but-the-oft-s-bus-investigation-is-just-that

In more years in the industry than I care to remember, I cannot ever recall to Confederation for Passenger Transport putting out a press release describing the actions of a government body as ‘madness’, yet that is how the bus industry trade association has described the recent decision by the Office of Fair Trading to launch an investigation into the UK bus service market. In this instance, it is wholly appropriate. The OFT’s decision is really quite remarkable. Two fundament

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Ben Colson Fri, 20 Mar 2009 11:01:00 GMT 15348
CPT is on the wrong track by rejecting OFT investigation https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/15338/cpt-is-on-the-wrong-track-by-rejecting-oft-investigation As a member company of the Confederation of Passenger Transport and the former vice chairman CPT for the Welsh region, I am saddened by the view of the CPT chief executive Simon Posner as he reflects and comments on the market study into the local bus services market (Transit March 6). Having had the opportunity of studying the tactics of the large groups and municipals with their desire to represent CPT on local bus service-related issues, it is evident, I would suggest, there is a wish to cre

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Letters to the Editor Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:44:00 GMT 15338
Thumbing a lift https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/15334/thumbing-a-lift As we all know any meetings between operators must be kept strictly above board in deference to competition legislation. After all nobody wants one of those pesky dawn raids by the suits at the Office of Fair Trading. However, on the day the OFT announced a new inquiry into the competitive state (or not) of the UK bus industry, who should a confident of Transit have spied walking out of the Department for Transport’s Marsham Street headquarters in London together? Why, none other than S

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In Passing Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:41:00 GMT 15334
Profitable last period on the Midland Main Line for NEG https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/15330/profitable-last-period-on-the-midland-main-line-for-neg

Train operator Midland Main Line recorded a return to profit during the 44 weeks ended November 11, the last trading period before the franchise became part of a new East Midlands operation and passed to Stagecoach. The company operated InterCity services between?London?St Pancras, the East Midlands and South Yorkshire, mainly serving Leicester, Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield. Turnover was 1.1% lower at £184.9m, whilst operating costs fell by 16.2% to £166.1m. The resulting operat

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Business Monitor Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:34:00 GMT 15330
Connor moves from Serco to consultancy https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/15301/connor-moves-from-serco-to-consultancy Consultancy firm RedRay has announced the appointment of Chris Connor as a director. He joins from Serco  and immediately prior to that Transport for London where he was director of road network management. There he led the successful letting of three term contracts covering maintenance and improvement of the TfL Road Network, each worth around £35m on an annual basis.  In his new role, Connor will lead and develop procurement management business for the company.

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People Fri, 20 Mar 2009 09:35:00 GMT 15301
Independent bus operators take differing views on OFT inquiry into bus market https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/15294/independent-bus-operators-take-differing-views-on-oft-inquiry-into-bus-market

The news that the Office of Fair Trading is to launch an investigation into the state of the UK bus market has seen the proprietors of two independent  bus operators take two widely differing views. In a letter to Transit, Clayton Jones, the owner of Cardiff-based Heart of Wales Bus & Coach, has rejected the Confederation of Passenger Transport’s criticism of the inquiry. “Having had the opportunity of studying the tactics of the large groups and municipals with their desi

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Regular News Fri, 20 Mar 2009 09:19:00 GMT 15294
Rail patronage growth slows sharply during the autumn https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/15189/rail-patronage-growth-slows-sharply-during-the-autumn Growth in rail patronage and revenue slowed markedly during the autumn, according to the latest figures published last month by the Office of Rail Regulation, covering the September to December quarter. Looking at the statistics for the three months, it is clear that growth in all three sectors was slower last autumn than in previous years. Passenger kilometres on InterCity routes were 2.6% higher, compared with 3.1% in 2007 and growth of over 6% in each of the previous three years. On the co

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Business Monitor Fri, 6 Mar 2009 12:34:00 GMT 15189
Welcome signal towards a rail restructuring https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/15183/welcome-signal-towards-a-rail-restructuring

The advent of New Labour heralded the end of ideology in politics. Now we have managerial politics in which parties vie with each other to improve the effectiveness of public services.  The current debate about regulation of financial services is an example. Strip away the “yah boo sucks” about Sir Fred Goodwin’s pension from RBS and the parties are arguing over mechanisms, not fundamentals. The publication of the Conservatives’ policy for the railways falls exac

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John Nelson Fri, 6 Mar 2009 12:19:00 GMT 15183
New template for Network Rail relationship with TOCs https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/15178/new-template-for-network-rail-relationship-with-tocs

Since its creation, Network Rail, has regularly been forced to draw up battle lines against train operators pressing for vertical integration trials on the basis that the company is bureaucratic, expensive and insufficiently focussed on customers’ requirements. Unsurprisingly, given the threatening nature of the proposals to take over its infrastructure, Network Rail has concentrated on scuppering all attempts to impose them, and refused to make any public statement of substance on the sub

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News Extra Fri, 6 Mar 2009 11:00:00 GMT 15178
Is OFT's bus industry investigation going to result in a fair decision? https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/15173/is-oft-s-bus-industry-investigation-going-to-result-in-a-fair-decision- At a time when thousands of jobs are being shed across the country, perhaps it is unsurprising that the suits at the Office of Fair Trading would want to look busy and launch a lengthy new investigation. But why did they pick its familiar foe the bus industry? There is no doubt that the bus market is not perfect, but unlike many industries it is holding up well in difficult circumstances. It needs an investigation from the competition authorities like it needs a hole in the head. OFT chief exe

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Opinion Fri, 6 Mar 2009 10:48:00 GMT 15173
ORR resists demands for u-turn on ECML paths https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/15160/orr-resists-demands-for-u-turn-on-ecml-paths The Office of Rail Regulation has faced down demands from the Department for Transport to reverse its draft decision to allow new open access services on the East Coast Main Line. In a response which underlined the DfT’s desperation to prevent open access expansion, its RUS advisor Geoff Appleby told the ORR that Grand Northern’s application should be rejected. He claimed that allowing Grand Northern to operate at times when there was a solid commercial case for the services would p

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Rail News Fri, 6 Mar 2009 10:19:00 GMT 15160
Grand Central agrees lease of Adelantes https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/15157/grand-central-agrees-lease-of-adelantes

Grand Central Railway this week confirmed that it has signed a lease with Angel Trains for two Class 180 Adelante units. This complements last week’s confirmation from the Office of Rail Regulation that Grand Central has firm rights to operate a fourth daily return service between Sunderland and London (see story below). The two new 125mph, five car, trains will join Grand Central’s existing fleet of High Speed Trains and will allow the open access operator to commence the addition

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Rail News Fri, 6 Mar 2009 10:16:00 GMT 15157
ORR welcomes record punctuality levels https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/15150/orr-welcomes-record-punctuality-levels The Office of Rail Regulation has welcomed increased levels of punctuality and passenger satisfaction and Network Rail taking on the challenges of the next five years. The results of the National rail review and Network Rail monitor covering the third quarter of 2008-09, were out last week. Bill Emery, ORR chief executive, said: “The train operators and Network Rail are delivering the highest levels of train punctuality and passenger satisfaction we have seen in years.

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In brief Fri, 6 Mar 2009 10:09:00 GMT 15150
Industry attacks OFTs decision to investigate buses https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/15133/industry-attacks-oft-s-decision-to-investigate-buses Britain’s bus industry has reacted with incredulity at the Office of Fair Trading’s decision to launch a market study into the supply of local bus services. The OFT is conducting the investigation because the sector has become increasingly concentrated by takeovers, with nearly two-thirds of services now controlled by the UK’s ‘big five’ passenger transport groups. The study will consider whether concentration in the market has a positive or negative impact on the

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Regular News Fri, 6 Mar 2009 09:41:00 GMT 15133
Network Rail ready for TOCs to carry out infrastructure works https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/15132/network-rail-ready-for-tocs-to-carry-out-infrastructure-works

Network Rail has invited train operators to carry out hundreds of small infrastructure works which the company would rather not manage and believes others may be better placed to deliver. At a seminar last week sponsored by Transit and consultancy First Class Partnerships, Network Rail operations and customer services director Robin Gisby acknowledged that carrying out certain small projects is not one of his company's strengths. He issued a direct invitation to operators to share the workload

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Lead Story Fri, 6 Mar 2009 09:29:00 GMT 15132
Grand Union welcomes ORR approval of new services to East Coast https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/15127/grand-union-welcomes-orr-approval-of-new-services-to-east-coast

The Office of Rail Regulation has approved the introduction of new services to the East Coast Main Line, giving a green light to Grand Central's Sunderland-Kings Cross. Grand Central intends that the service will be operational by the summer. The additional trains will run on a Monday – Saturday leaving Sunderland at 0918 and returning from Kings Cross at 1918, enabling Grand Central to offer a more attractive range of journeys throughout the day in both directions. The confirmed ORR awa

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Rail News Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:21:00 GMT 15127
Network Rail fined after electric shock https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/14986/network-rail-fined-after-electric-shock Network Rail was fined £75,000 and ordered to pay £26,930 in costs following an incident in 2007 at a depot in Chadwell Heath in Essex where a worker received an electric shock. Network Rail denied the offence but was found guilty last week. The prosecution was brought by the Office of Rail Regulation. Network Rail who owned the depot, had contracted Cabin Club Limited to undertake work to install new accommodation units. An ORR investigation found Network Rail should have taken me

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In brief Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:29:00 GMT 14986
NXEC says ORR draft decision is not rational https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/14985/nxec-says-orr-draft-decision-is-not-rational- National Express East Coast has responded furiously to the Office of Rail Regulation’s draft decision on new East Coast Main Line access rights. Last month ORR said it supported NXEC’s plans to run an extra 25 services/day on the ECML, but postponed its final decision until timtetabling issues and potential conflicts with other operators’ services have been resolved. At the same time, ORR gave rival open access operator Grand Northern provisional approval to run six competi

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Rail News Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:28:00 GMT 14985
ORR in danger of reducing NXEC revenue says Franks https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/14984/orr-in-danger-of-reducing-nxec-revenue-says-franks National Express managing director David Franks has claimed that, if confirmed, the Office of Rail Regulation’s draft decision on East Coast access rights would have a damaging effect on the DfT’s budget as it would reduce the income NXEC generates. The Department for Transport has confirmed in a Freedom of Information Act request placed by Transit that it is not liable for any revenue open access services will abstract from NXEC. However, the final premiums NXEC will pay to DfT dep

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Rail News Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:27:00 GMT 14984
OFT announces investigation into Stagecoachs south coast purchases https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/14976/oft-announces-investigation-into-stagecoach-s-south-coast-purchases The Office of Fair Trading has announced that it is to investigate the recent purchases of Eastbourne Buses and Polegate-based Cavendish Motor Services by Perth-based group Stagecoach. Stagecoach has had a virtual monopoly on bus services in Eastbourne after it acquired council-owned Eastbourne Buses in January (Transit December 19). It followed up this acquisition with the news it was buying Cavendish, a significant competitior to Eastbourne Buses late last month, and immediately announced tha

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Bus News Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:18:00 GMT 14976
Why Network Rail arent actually doing that badly https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/14846/why-network-rail-aren-t-actually-doing-that-badly

It is of course a cross they have to bear; Network Rail that is. From the slightest gripes and groans of the commuter on the journey home (“leaves on the line at Surbiton” of the Reggie Perrin variety) to the sometimes rather more headline grabbing disruptions surrounding Christmas engineering works, Network Rail will always be in the headlines. They will be talked about at dinner parties the length and breadth of the land along with the bank, the building society, the estate agent,

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John Nelson Fri, 6 Feb 2009 10:47:00 GMT 14846
New NXEC services could lose money https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/14810/new-nxec-services-could-lose-money MVA has forecast that National Express East Coast could lose money from its plans to introduce an extra 25 services per day. The analysis, commissioned by the Office of Rail Regulation, is based on Network Rail’s current assessment of the paths it can make available for NXEC to operate its enhanced service in December 2009. These paths would produce significantly lower revenue generation than the timetable NXEC believes is possible. “Due to longer journey times than expected by NXE

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Rail News Fri, 6 Feb 2009 09:14:00 GMT 14810
Green light for new open access competition on East Coast line https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/14809/green-light-for-new-open-access-competition-on-east-coast-line

The Office of Rail Regulation has approved an expansion in open access competition in its draft decision on competing proposals for new services on the East Coast Main Line. Grand Northern has been given the go ahead for three return services per day between Bradford Interchange and London. It is expected that the new services will run from December. In addition, Grand Northern’s sister company, Grand Central, has been told it can extend its existing London-Sunderland operations with a fo

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Rail News Lead Story Fri, 6 Feb 2009 09:11:00 GMT 14809
Network Rail drops funding demands and accepts 285bn five-year package https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/14807/network-rail-s-funding-demands-and-accepts-28-5bn-five-year-package

Network Rail has accepted the £28.5bn five-year funding package proposed by the Office of Rail Regulation and withdrawn its threat to refer the ORR’s decision to the Competition Commission. Network Rail had originally demanded £31bn for the period from 2009-2014. However, a softening of both sides’ positions has seen the company accept the compromise package, although there is still a £1.5bn-plus funding gap between the funding Network Rail will receive and the amo

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Regular News Fri, 6 Feb 2009 09:06:00 GMT 14807
Grand Union benefits from proposed ORR decision on track access rights while Platinum Trains rejected https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/14712/grand-union-benefits-from-proposed-orr-decision-on-track-access-rights-while-platinum-trains-rejected

The Office of Rail Regulation has paved the way for a fourth Grand Central service each way between Sunderland and London King's Cross, in its proposed decision on applications for track access rights for passenger services on the East Coast Main Line. ORR has considered a number of applications for track access rights on the ECML - either to extend the period for which existing rights are in place, or for rights to run additional services. The regulator has said it "is minded" to a

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Rail News Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:19:00 GMT 14712
Stagecoach likely to face competition probe but was the competition actually healthy? https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/14690/stagecoach-likely-to-face-competition-probe-but-was-the-competition-actually-healthy- So Stagecoach has swooped in and has acquired south coast bus firm Cavendish Motor Services and promptly announced the business will be closed. There is little doubt that the prospects for Cavendish were weak with the news that the Perth-based group was the winning bidder at the auction of Eastbourne Buses. After all, the operator would no longer be competing with a somewhat down-at-heel municipal operator. It would be fighting the commercially savvy Stagecoach which, after all has deep pocket

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Business Comment Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:27:00 GMT 14690
What is in store for Passenger Focus this year? https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/14685/what-is-in-store-for-passenger-focus-this-year-

34th place isn’t a bad place to enter the Power 50 - hot off Transit’s press last issue (Transit January 9) - and Anthony Smith, chief executive of the ever-expanding Passenger Focus is “dead chuffed” at achieving this. He even cracked open a bottle of champagne the day he found out. Before this year, the organisation could be called a ‘rail watchdog,’ but 2009 is, as Smith himself says, “the year of the bus”. In April, Passenger Focus takes the

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News Extra Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:00:00 GMT 14685
Clayton Jones plans a competitive assault on Cardiff Bus with new firm https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/14666/clayton-jones-plans-a-competitive-assault-on-cardiff-bus-with-new-firm Welsh bus entrepreneur Clayton Jones has announced that he is planning to launch a new network of commercial bus services in Cardiff from April. Jones has also taken the unprecedented move of informing the Office of Fair Trading and the Welsh traffic commissioner Nick Jones of his plans. He says that he has taken the step in the wake of last year’s OFT report into the predatory competitive action of Cardiff Bus against AIM-listed 2 Travel. Jones applied for a one vehicle operator’s

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Bus News Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:38:00 GMT 14666
Stagecoach acquires Eastbourne competitor but opts for its closure https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/14655/stagecoach-acquires-eastbourne-competitor-but-opts-for-its-closure

Stagecoach has followed up its recent purchase of council-owned bus operator Eastbourne Buses with a deal to acquire local competitor Cavendish Motor Services for an undisclosed sum. The Perth-based group acquired the business last week from its parent, coach operator Renown of Bexhill. However, the deal will see the 28-vehicle Polegate-based operation closed in March with all 40 staff made redundant. Cavendish has been a significant thorn in the side of Eastbourne Buses over several years. It

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Bus News Lead Story Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:25:00 GMT 14655
Natex company fined 75000 https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/14647/natex-company-fined-75-000 National Express Group subsidiary, Maintrain, has been fined £75,000 and told to pay £8584 in costs over health and safety infringements in one of its maintenance depots. The fine by the Office of Rail Regulation follows an incident in February 2007, where a maintenance worker received an electric shock leading to two months off work. ORR’s principal railway inspector Darren Anderson said: “ORR’s investigation highlighted several failings in Maintrain’s pro

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Rail News Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:03:00 GMT 14647
Interfleet recruits from Network Rail https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/14456/interfleet-recruits-from-network-rail Rail consultant Interfleet Technology has appointed electrification specialist Richard Catlow as a principal consultant to further strengthen the infrastructure team. He joins from Network Rail where he was latterly senior electrification and plant testing engineer. Prior to that he was the professional head of electrification and plant for Union Railways and he also led the electrification system design for strengthening of the Southern region electrification infrastructure to cater for Mk I r

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People Fri, 9 Jan 2009 11:36:00 GMT 14456
Interfleet Technology celebrates 10 years of nurturing and retaining new talent https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/14449/interfleet-technology-celebrates-10-years-of-nurturing-and-retaining-new-talent

International rail consultancy Interfleet Technology is celebrating 10 years of its Graduate Development Scheme, which has helped induct 62 graduates into the international rail industry. The scheme was introduced in 1998 and of the 62 graduates that Interfleet has employed, 40 are still with the company in various roles at its offices around the world. The two-year long programme accepts entrants fresh from university and provides them with a thorough grounding in the rail industry. David Rol

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Business Back-Up Fri, 9 Jan 2009 11:25:00 GMT 14449
Arriva takes on Deutsche Bahn with open access Aberystwyth-London plan https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/14423/arriva-takes-on-deutsche-bahn-with-open-access-aberystwyth-london-plan

Arriva Trains Wales is looking to hit back at rival DB Regio with a service which would compete directly with DB’s Wrexham and Shropshire open access operation, and also with its Chiltern Railways franchise. ATW’s plan is for a new service, billed as a restoration of the direct Aberystwyth-London train withdrawn by BR in 1991. It would be achieved by adding carriages to existing Aberystwyth-Birmingham services, splitting trains at Birmingham, and running one section to London. Inste

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Rail News Fri, 9 Jan 2009 10:15:00 GMT 14423
Preston Bus surrenders fight and opens sale talks with Stagecoach https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/14402/preston-bus-surrenders-fight-and-opens-sale-talks-with-stagecoach

It has been revealed that employee-owned operator Preston Bus is in advanced talks with Stagecoach to sell the business in a rumoured £6m deal. The move comes just 18 months after the Perth-based group launched a competitive assault against Preston Bus. That led to questions in Parliament and a behind-closed-doors deal between the two sides to halt a potentially explosive public inquiry into the bus war that was convened by north west traffic commissioner Beverley Bell. Transit understan

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Lead Story Fri, 9 Jan 2009 09:35:00 GMT 14402
If the recession bites hard could NXEC be first casualty? https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/14312/if-the-recession-bites-hard-could-nxec-be-first-casualty- On the face of it, the National Express East Coast franchise looks in deep trouble. For the first 40 weeks of the year the franchise had been ticking along nicely recording growth of 11%, only to drop off the edge of a cliff. In the past two to three months, growth of just 2% or possibly 4% has been recorded depending on whether dates from NEG’s latest trading statement or the company’s financial public relations team are correct. Either way it’s a grim statistic. According to

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Business Comment Lead Story Fri, 19 Dec 2008 10:53:00 GMT 14312
2Travel boss is back in business once again https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/14310/2travel-boss-is-back-in-business-once-again

Nobody could personify the adage “once bitten, twice shy” better than Bev Fowles. After the collapse of AIM-listed 2Travel, where he was chief executive, he now spends his last years before retirement in an office on a small industrial estate in Neath, South Wales. He has no great ambitions for his bus company and speaks bitterly of the effect stock-market listing had on 2Travel. Fowles entered the bus industry in London in 1972, to supplement his income from teaching. After various

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Regular Feature Fri, 19 Dec 2008 10:46:00 GMT 14310
Two thirds of revenue is abstracted https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/14281/two-thirds-of-revenue-is-abstracted New open access companies will inevitably take more revenue from franchised operators than they generate, studies by the Office of Rail Regulation have concluded. In the case of Hull Trains, ORR director of competition and economics John Thomas revealed that around two thirds of the company’s revenue was abstracted from franchised operators with a third made up of new business. However, he said this was more than compensated for by the benefits the new service had delivered for passenger

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Rail News Fri, 19 Dec 2008 09:50:00 GMT 14281
Auction intercity paths in bundles and give the winners more freedom https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/14280/-auction-intercity-paths-in-bundles-and-give-the-winners-more-freedom- The Office of Rail Regulation has called for the Department for Transport to consider auctioning off ‘bundles’ of paths on intercity networks, rather than letting new franchises when the current contracts expire. Director of Competition and Economics John Thomas said that research by the ORR showed that the intercity sector as a whole would be genuinely profitable by 2017, taking into account both train operators’ costs and DfT grants to Network Rail. He considered that this

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Rail News Fri, 19 Dec 2008 09:47:00 GMT 14280
ORR to challenge monopolies and call for greater competition https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/14279/orr-to-challenge-monopolies-and-call-for-greater-competition

The Office of Rail Regulation is expected to recommend that there should be more competition between train operators following a detailed review of the market early next year. The study will examine the effects of open access operators in growing patronage from previously untapped markets and the companies’ financial impact on franchised operators. It will also assess the Department for Transport’s policy of reducing competition between operators by letting large franchises which ru

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Rail News Lead Story Fri, 19 Dec 2008 09:45:00 GMT 14279
West Coast makes hay as average train loads up 76% https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/14164/west-coast-makes-hay-as-average-train-loads-up-7-6- INTERCITY rail operator West Coast Trains recorded a five-fold increase in profits in the year to March 1 2008, according to its annual accounts. The company operates long distance rail services on the West?Coast Main Line between London?Euston, the West Midlands, North?Wales, North?West?England, Glasgow and Edinburgh. The company expanded in November 2007, taking over the services between Birmingham and Scotland via the West Coast route formerly operated by the Cross Country franchise. The bus

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Business Monitor Fri, 5 Dec 2008 11:09:00 GMT 14164
Train punctuality continues to improve https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/14131/train-punctuality-continues-to-improve Train punctuality is at its highest level since the measure was introduced in 1998, according to new figures published this week. The Office of the Rail Regulation’s Network Rail monitor  show that the Public Performance Measure moving annual average was 90.5% at the end of the for the second quarter between June and September this year. The report also shows that the PPMs for both Virgin’s West Coast Main Line services and First Great Westerns are improving. The Network Rail

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In brief Fri, 5 Dec 2008 10:16:00 GMT 14131
ORR optimistic about Christmas works https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/14130/orr-optimistic-about-christmas-works The Office of Rail Regulation is optimistic that Network Rail will complete its Christmas engineering plans on time this year, but have not ruled out the possibility of any overruns occurring. Engineering works overran Last Christmas and into the New Year by several days. Unscheduled closures on parts of the West Coast Main Line by four days - and at Liverpool Street Station, and Glasgow’s Shields Junction, led operators Virgin and One Railway to complain to the ORR. In their national r

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In brief Fri, 5 Dec 2008 10:15:00 GMT 14130
Network Rail proposes new rail enhancements for Merseyside https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/14127/network-rail-proposes-new-rail-enhancements-for-merseyside

Network Rail and Merseyrail have renewed calls for funding to improve Liverpool Central station and for a debate on when, not if, it should be redeveloped or a new station built.  Other developments to the Merseyside network, which Network Rail says should be examined, include building a new 13-mile rail line to link the large town of Skelmersdale to Liverpool. With a population of 40,000, it is the second largest town in the north west without a rail station. The proposal precedes a fort

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Rail News Lead Story Fri, 5 Dec 2008 10:07:00 GMT 14127
New process for agreeing access rights needed says ORR https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/14104/new-process-for-agreeing-access-rights-needed-says-orr

The Office of Rail Regulation has said that the process for approving new access rights for operators needs to be improved. ORR's chief executive Bill Emery said today that the approval of new access rights has not been reached for East Midlands Trains and Virgin's West Coast Main Line only two weeks before their new timetables are due to commence on December 14. Emery explained that when the contracts which operators have with Network Rail to run their trains come to an end, as in the case

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Rail News Mon, 1 Dec 2008 14:43:00 GMT 14104
NXEC proposals copying the ideas of open access operators https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/13952/nxec-proposals-copying-the-ideas-of-open-access-operators I write in response to the item in ‘inbrief’ regarding National Express East Coast expansion plans. Perhaps the headline ‘NXEC Report backs NXEC’ plans for East Coast would have been more apt. A recent interview with David Franks (Transit September 12) made it clear that NXEC had simply “... copied the open access operator’s ideas and went on to say ‘we are trying to create markets that others have identified’”. One could reasonably argue

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Letters to the Editor Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:45:00 GMT 13952
OFT finds Cardiff Bus guilty of predatory action against 2Travel https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/13934/oft-finds-cardiff-bus-guilty-of-predatory-action-against-2travel

Cardiff Bus could be sued after the Office of Fair Trading ruled this week that it was guilty of predatory conduct to eliminate rival operator 2Travel between April 2004 and February 2005. Bev Fowles, former 2Travel chief executive, told Transit he might take action to recover some of the £500,000 he lost when 2Travel went bankrupt. He also said 2Travel had been kept in liquidation pending the OFT’s ruling. But Cardiff Bus has accused the OFT of wanting to set a precedent for the b

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Bus News Lead Story Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:20:00 GMT 13934
Network Rail acknowledges ORRs concessions https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/13918/network-rail-acknowledges-orr-s-concessions The prospect of Network Rail initiating a Competition Commission inquiry into its new five-year funding settlement has receded. In its interim results statement, the company acknowledged that the Office of Rail Regulation had made “significant concessions” to the company in its final funding determination. However, it also warned that “significant hurdles” still needed to be overcome. A Network Rail spokesman told Transit that a considerable number of issues, many concer

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Rail News Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:51:00 GMT 13918
Public Accounts Committee calls for better incident management https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/13900/public-accounts-committee-calls-for-better-incident-management

A report from the House of Commons Committee of Public Accounts, published today, recommends more effective management of incidents on the railway. The document calls for the DfT to strengthen the governance and accountability arrangements of the rail industry to make Network Rail more directly accountable to the taxpayer for its funding and for improving passenger rail services. Network Rail should make more use of its incident review process to identify and disseminate good practice and scope

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Regular News Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:08:00 GMT 13900
Cardiff Bus found guilty of unfair competition against 2 Travel https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/13899/cardiff-bus-found-guilty-of-unfair-competition-against-2-travel

The Office of Fair Trading has ruled that council-owned bus operator Cardiff Bus engaged in predatory action against failed AIM-listed bus operator 2 Travel. The decision relates to Cardiff Bus’ behaviour between April 2004 and February 2005. Cardiff Bus responded to the introduction of a new no-frills bus service by 2 Travel, by introducing its own no-frills bus services which ran on the same routes, at similar times as 2 Travel's services and made a loss for Cardiff Bus. Shortly after 2

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Bus News Tue, 18 Nov 2008 11:40:00 GMT 13899
If Network Rail really aspires to be world class it will accept cost reduction targets https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/13782/if-network-rail-really-aspires-to-be-world-class-it-will-accept-cost-reduction-targets In justifying their demand for Network Rail to make huge cost savings - 21% over the next five years - staff at the Office of Rail Regulation were careful to emphasise that they do not want to castigate the company. Yet the fact remains that six years after its formation, Network Rail’s work is a third more expensive than that of its European counterparts. Perhaps this is understandable given what went before, but less comprehensible is the company’s apparent rejection of European p

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Business Comment Fri, 7 Nov 2008 10:50:00 GMT 13782
Network Rail bonuses linked to TOC satisfaction https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/13761/network-rail-bonuses-linked-to-toc-satisfaction

Bonuses paid to Network Rail’s executive directors will be influenced by train operators’ satisfaction with the company from next year. The main criteria on which bonuses are awarded are expected to remain narrowly focussed on meeting punctuality, infrastructure reliability and financial targets. However, the company’s remuneration committee has specifically committed to taking account of operators’ view of the company’s performance in future. From 2009/10 it will

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Rail News Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:59:00 GMT 13761
Regulator sticks with generous Network Rail cost reduction goal https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/13754/regulator-sticks-with--generous-network-rail-cost-reduction-goal

The Office of Rail Regulation has refused to back down on the cost reduction targets set for Network Rail over the next five years, describing them as “conservative” and “generous”. In its final judgement on Network Rail’s funding for 2009-14, ORR confirmed that the company would have to make a 21% improvement in efficiency, and presented a vast suite of evidence to counter its claim that the target is unachievable. “What we are saying is that Network Rail r

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Lead Story Fri, 7 Nov 2008 09:30:00 GMT 13754
Open access services to Rutland planned for Midland Main Line https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/13740/open-access-services-to-rutland-planned-for-midland-main-line Proposals are being drawn up for a new open access commuter operation from Rutland to St Pancras. The new company, Rutland Rail, would run from Melton Mowbray and Oakham to the Midland Main Line via the new station at Corby, a route currently used only for freight and as a diversionary line for East Midlands Trains. Its services would then call at commuter towns Kettering and Wellingborough on the way to London. The plan has been discussed with the Office of Rail Regulation and meetings have b

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Rail News Thu, 6 Nov 2008 16:44:00 GMT 13740
GNER bows out of UK rail with 33% profit reduction https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/13728/gner-bows-out-of-uk-rail-with-33-profit-reduction GREAT North Eastern Railway, the train operator which bowed out of the InterCity?East?Coast rail franchise last December after a decade, recorded sharply reduced profits in its last year of trading. The company operated the route from London?King’s Cross to Leeds, Newcastle and Edinburgh and was widely admired for its branding and high standards of customer service. During the year in question, the franchise was operated on a fee basis for the Department for Transport, with incentive pay

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Business Monitor Thu, 6 Nov 2008 15:40:00 GMT 13728
Rail maintains momentum with strong spring growth https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/13727/rail-maintains-momentum-with-strong-spring-growth The continuing boom in rail patronage was maintained in the April-June quarter of with strong growth recorded in all sectors, according to the latest National Rail Trends quarterly bulletin, published last week by the Office of Rail Regulation. Analysis shows that, taking a rolling year, the number of passenger journeys was  6.5% ahead at 1,245 million, whilst the number of passenger kilometres was 6.3% up at 49.8 billion. Passenger revenue was 11.1% up at £5.7 billion. The growth

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Business Monitor Thu, 6 Nov 2008 15:38:00 GMT 13727
MVA appoints new director from TfL https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/13486/mva-appoints-new-director-from-tfl MVA Consultancy has appointed Conrad Haigh as director of smarter travel. Haigh has extensive experience across the transport planning sector and joins MVA from Transport for London where he was workplace travel planning manager where he delivered a £5.5m Workplace Travel Planning Programme for 33 boroughs.

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People Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:07:00 GMT 13486
MVA Consultancy equips West Yorkshire PTE with hand-held real-time PT Insight https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/13478/mva-consultancy-equips-west-yorkshire-pte-with-hand-held-real-time-pt-insight Having recently been awarded a contract by Nottinghamshire County Council, MVA Consultancy is building on its integrated Public Transport Information System, PT Insight, installed in West Yorkshire PTE (Metro) and Hertfordshire County Council. PT Insight manages all aspects of public transport timetables, stops and routes, Electronic Bus Service Registrations (EBSR), education transport and ticketing, concessionary fares analysis and reimbursement, asset management, and other areas of PTEs and

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Business Back-Up Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:51:00 GMT 13478
Sell shares in Network Rail https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/13463/-sell-shares-in-network-rail- A future Conservative government should consider using the growing strength of Network Rail’s balance sheet to issue shares in the company, Mike Jones, a director of consultancy First Class Partnerships has recommended. Jones, a long-standing Tory Party activist, said that Network Rail had been clever in building up its financial strength to the extent that it now listed £6.5bn of net assets on its balance sheet, up from £0.5bn five years ago. “My reading is that the c

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News Extra Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:14:00 GMT 13463
New look Metrolink tram unveiled to transport secretary https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/13453/new-look-metrolink-tram-unveiled-to-transport-secretary

Greater Manchester PTA unveiled a model of its new-look Metrolink trams at a parliamentary reception last week attended by new transport secretary Geoff Hoon and GMPTA chair Matt Colledge. The 1.6-metre-long model tram was used to show off the new design. 40 trams will begin to be added to the Metrolink network next year to run on the existing system as well as on the extensions to Oldham and Rochdale, Droylsden, Chorlton and MediaCity:UK in Salford Quays. The trams will be yellow at the fro

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Light Rail/Tram News Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:51:00 GMT 13453
Regulator delays decision on East Coast proposals https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/13418/regulator-delays-decision-on-east-coast-proposals The Office of Rail Regulation has delayed its decision on whether to approve National Express East Coast’s expansion plan or proposals for new services from rival open access operators Hull Trains, Grand Central/Northern and Platinum trains. The regulator had been due to rule on the competing applications for paths on the East Coast Main Line in October, but the decision has now been delayed until the end of January. An ORR spokesman said that the decision had been postponed because a st

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Rail News Fri, 24 Oct 2008 10:12:00 GMT 13418
Can the railway strengthen the pace of reform and improvement? https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/13240/can-the-railway-strengthen-the-pace-of-reform-and-improvement-

“Laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind ... We might as well require a man to wear the coat that fitted him as a boy, as civilized society to remain ever under the regime of their ancestors.” So said Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the American Declaration of Independence in 1776. They are inscribed on the interior of the rotunda of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington DC, and should be remembered by transport professionals who face a

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Regular Feature Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT 13240
Grand Union already looking at connecting South Yorks towns https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/13232/grand-union-already-looking-at-connecting-south-yorks-towns It’s heartening to see that John Nelson’s column (Transit September 12) regarding Rotherham and Barnsley has stimulated some much needed debate about these important South Yorkshire towns and their rail services. I should like to point out however that Grand Union had already identified the very pressing need for rail improvements, particularly the re-instatement of direct services to London which are so vital to the economic wellbeing of any community. A formal letter was sent to

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Letters to the Editor Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT 13232
Network Rail agrees that NXEC expansion plans are possible https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/13185/network-rail-agrees-that-nxec-expansion-plans-are-possible

Network Rail has relented to pressure from National Express East Coast and the Office of Rail Regulation and agreed that it would be possible for NXEC to implement its planned service expansion in December 2009. However, its report came with a large number of “health warnings” over issues including punctuality and journey times. Network Rail’s new position in the dispute over capacity on the East Coast Main Line is outlined in a study demanded by the ORR. Whereas the company

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Rail News Lead Story Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT 13185
Network Rail appoints new directors https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/12887/network-rail-appoints-new-directors

Network Rail has appointed three new executive directors in a move which could prove to be the forerunner of a major overhaul of the company’s management structure and culture. Infrastructure investment director Simon Kirby, operations and customer service director Robin Gisby, and planning and regulation director Paul Plummer have been promoted to the board in response to the huge growth agenda the government has approved over the next five years. Network Rail head of media Kevin Gr

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Regular News Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT 12887
Chiltern offers to trial vertical integration https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/12889/chiltern-offers-to-trial-vertical-integration Chiltern Railways has renewed the debate on vertical integration, offering to undertake a trial on part of its network. Chiltern’s proposal, made to the Office of Rail Regulation, has been aired because of the company’s concern over the quality of service it receives from Network Rail, and its belief that competition would enable informed judgements to be made on whether the company could realistically be expected to perform better. “There is in our view a case for small par

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Regular News Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT 12889
Transport Scotland may face problems financing its five-year rail programme https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/12897/transport-scotland-may-face-problems-financing-its-five-year-rail-programme

Transport Scotland has indicated that it is facing problems financing its five-year rail programme published last summer. Chief executive Malcolm Reed has told the Office of Rail Regulation that the funding situation north of the border has changed since the Scottish government set out its £3.6bn HLOS rail plan for 2009-2014. And he has told the regulator to alter its draft determination of Network Rail’s financial settlement for the period to take account of Transport Scotland&rs

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Rail News Lead Story Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT 12897
Bolt to leave ORR https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/12904/bolt-to-leave-orr Chris Bolt, chairman of the Office of Rail Regulation, will not seek a new term when his current contract comes to an end in July 2009. A successor for Bolt is currently being advertised with a salary of £110,000 offered for two to three days’ work per week.

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In brief Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT 12904
Bus merger inquiry is halted by OFT https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/12916/bus-merger-inquiry-is-halted-by-oft The OFT has used its ‘de minimis’ exception in deciding not to refer the completed acquisition of Cavalier Contracts by Stagecoach  to the Competition Commission. The OFT has found little overlap between the two operators, but it was concerned about operations on the forthcoming Cambridgeshire Guided Busway that is due to open in spring 2009. Both Cavalier and Stagecoach were to make up two of the three operators on the route, however the OFT feels that the small size of t

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Bus News Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT 12916
ATOC devises East Coast timetable to keep all parties happy https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/12920/atoc-devises-east-coast-timetable-to-keep-all-parties-happy The Association of Train Operating Companies has devised an East Coast Main Line timetable which would provide sufficient capacity for National Express’s expansion plans plus new open access routes, and leave room for further increases in services as well. The solution devised by ATOC and the principal ECML operators would provide seven long distance paths per hour by taking a more flexible approach to stopping patterns. At present there are five long distance paths per hour on the lin

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Rail News Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT 12920
High speed rail case rekindled with new public interest group https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/12921/high-speed-rail-case-rekindled-with-new-public-interest-group

High speed rail in the UK will be pushed forward, with the creation of a new Public Interest Group, spear-headed by Greengauge 21, whose planned programme of work will be informed by Network Rail’s New Lines study. The group, comprised of members ranging from PTEs and regional development agencies to Network Rail, the Association of Train Operating Companies and BAA, will take forward a £750,000 programme to develop a HSR network strategy for Great Britain. Delivered by principal

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Rail News Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT 12921
Platinum to speed up London-Scotland journeys https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/12922/platinum-to-speed-up-london-scotland-journeys

Prospective open access operator Platinum Trains would cut nearly 20 minutes off the fastest rail journeys currently offered between London and Edinburgh if it gains approval to run on the East Coast Main Line. Revealing further details of Platinum’s proposals, director Gary Jones told Transit that paths between Edinburgh and Kings Cross had been identified during Network Rail’s East Coast capacity study, with journey times of four hours three minutes. He has applied to the Of

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Rail News Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT 12922
Conservatives and rail policy what to expect? https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/12954/conservatives-and-rail-policy-what-to-expect- With the present government’s power seeming to ebb away in the face of a harsh economic climate and a resurgent Cameron-led, Conservative Party, it is time to turn our attention again to the policy work being carried out by the shadow ministerial teams. We have all been aware of a detailed rail policy examination by the Conservatives for some time. It is somewhat surprising that a formal policy statement has not yet emerged although it is wise for opposition parties not to create &ldquo

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Other Columnist Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT 12954
Are rising oil prices hastening carbon free rail? https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/12955/are-rising-oil-prices-hastening-carbon-free-rail-

Whatever else it has done, the high oil price has certainly shone a spotlight on the advantages of public transport. Car travel flat, bus and rail up. The oil price is falling now, but don’t relax; the price of electricity has just hit a new peak. But do these high prices at least have the advantage of discouraging the use of carbon based fuels and are they hastening the time when the railway, like Eurostar, can offer passengers carbon neutral travel? The Office of Rail Regulation,

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Other Columnist Fri, 26 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT 12955
Interfleet adds to its team in Scotland https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/12600/interfleet-adds-to-its-team-in-scotland Rail industry expert Phil Bentley has joined rail consultancy Interfleet Technology as a senior consultant. He will be involved with increasing Interfleet’s market share in the region. Bentley will join Interfleet’s newly opened Edinburgh office and brings with him over 30 years’ experience of working with some of the industry’s leading rail companies, including Bombardier, Serco and British Rail. Interfleet’s Scotland team  operates in all industry sect

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People Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT 12600
Grand Union offered paths for Welsh service https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/12596/grand-union-offered-paths-for-welsh-service Grand Union has been offered paths by Network Rail to run the new Welsh Assembly-sponsored service between Cardiff and Holyhead. The service would be aimed primarily at the business market, with improved facilities compared to the current two-hourly Arriva Trains Wales offer, and would have faster journeys. The paths offered to Grand Union are for two return services per day from December this year. Managing director Ian Yeowart told Transit that the journey times provided the basis for conti

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Regular News Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT 12596
Rail season ticket usage reaches new record highs https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/12589/rail-season-ticket-usage-reaches-new-record-highs THE latest statistics on rail patronage show that the proportion of journeys being made by season ticket holders is growing rapidly, and heading back to the sort of proportions of total traffic last seen in the late 1980s and early 1990s. According to the latest figures published by the ORR, some 590 million passenger journeys were taken on the network by season ticket holders (and remember that Travelcards are excluded from these figures). Between them, they covered 15.1 billion passenger ki

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Business Monitor Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT 12589
Virgins competition protection deserves to be challenged for the good of the railway https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/12585/virgin-s-competition-protection-deserves-to-be-challenged-for-the-good-of-the-railway Virgin West Coast is the only train operator which still enjoys that privatisation relic, Moderation of Competition protection, or put another way a guaranteed monopoly.  And what a guarantee it is. With the exception of a limited number of much slower London Midland services, Virgin has the nation’s premier rail route to itself. Not only are rival operators unable to serve pairs of stations which Virgin operates to, in some instances, they are unable even to run to stations in Virgin

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Business Comment Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT 12585
Rivals want end to Virgins monopoly on West Coast https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/12581/rivals-want-end-to-virgin-s-monopoly-on-west-coast While National Express East Coast is facing a swarm of open access operators competing with it for spare capacity, on the other side of the country the situation for Virgin Trains is rather different. Its West Coast franchise has been effectively protected against new entrants or even existing operators expanding their services by ‘Moderation of Competition’ provisions dating back to 1998. However, a ruling from the Office of Rail Regulation due in October, could lead to the prote

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News Extra Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT 12581
Why is the OFT picking out and pouncing on Stagecoach? https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/12577/why-is-the-oft-picking-out-and-pouncing-on-stagecoach- As surely as night follows day, another Stagecoach acquisition is immediately pounced upon by the Office of Fair Trading.  No matter that the newly acquired companies are hundreds of miles apart, do not intrude on existing Stagecoach subsidiaries, and in the case of Huntingdon and District, are locked in competition with Whippet Coaches rather than ‘Stagecoach in Cambridgeshire’. Perhaps I am missing something here, but why does the OFT only seem to be concerned with the legitim

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Letters to the Editor Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT 12577
Network Rail told to reduce disruption to passengers https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/12553/network-rail-told-to-reduce-disruption-to-passengers The office of Rail Regulation has  welcomed record train punctuality  over 90%, but said that Network Rail must work more efficiently to reduce  the disruption  to passengers by engineering work. Following the ORR’s National Rail Review, the ORR chief executive Bill Emery said that work by Network Rail and train operators has shown that it should be possible to achieve increased efficiency and  reduce disruption to train services by adopting best practice and e

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Rail News Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT 12553
Threat to Virgins West Coast monopoly https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/12537/threat-to-virgin-s-west-coast-monopoly Virgin is facing a threat to its monopoly position on the West Coast Main Line. A ruling from the Office of Rail Regulation, due in October, could lead to the protection that Virgin has always enjoyed being scaled back. London Midland, Chiltern Railways and open access operator WSMR have formally requested changes to Virgin’s protection. “Virgin is seeking continued protection on the same basis as its original contract, but many things have changed since then and this has been

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Regular News Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT 12537
Anglo-Scottish market targeted by new rail rival for National Express https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/12535/anglo-scottish-market-targeted-by-new-rail-rival-for-national-express Platinum Trains, a new open access company, is planning to lodge an application to run services between London and Scotland on the East Coast Main Line. The company is headed by Gary Jones, who has 17 years experience in the rail industry, latterly as a project manager at Northern Rail. Jones said discussions to secure paths from Network Rail and to obtain rolling stock were nearing completion and he would meet the Office of Rail Regulation’s September 19 deadline for submitting appl

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Regular News Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT 12535
ORR wants study of East Coast capacity https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/11807/orr-wants-study-of-east-coast-capacity The Office of Rail Regulation has told Network Rail to carry out an urgent capacity study on the East Coast Main Line to enable decisions to be made on the competing applications for new paths from open access operators Grand Central and Hull Trains, and franchised operator National Express East Coast (Transit April 11). The companies have expressed frustration at Network Rail’s tardy progress. The study will consider capacity for extra services on the line in three blocks: December 200

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In brief Tue, 19 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT 11807
OFT begins investigation into Arrivas North Wales deal to remove competitor https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/11986/oft-begins-investigation-into-arriva-s-north-wales-deal-to-remove-competitor

The Office of Fair Trading this week issued an invitation to comment on the deal between Arriva and Welsh independent KMP which saw the latter withdraw from its rival route on the North Wales coast. August 2 was the last day of KMP’s operation between Llandudno, Bangor and Caernarfon/Llangefni, on which some fares were less than half those charged by Arriva. The deal, for an undisclosed sum, included purchase of seven KMP vehicles. Daytime service frequency between Llandudno and Bangor

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Bus News Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT 11986
Stagecoach wraps up Bullocks purchase https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/11968/stagecoach-wraps-up-bullock-s-purchase Stagecoach Manchester completed its planned acquisition of the independent bus operations of Bullock’s of Cheadle this week (Transit August 1). In the short term, the Perth-based group will retain Bullock’s branding on its network of services and operate the business as a standalone division, albeit operating from its Stockport depot, pending approval from the Office of Fair Trading. A total of 22 vehicles and 46 staff will transfer to Stagecoach as part of the move. Bullock’s

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In brief Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT 11968
Interfleet recruits interface specialist https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/11951/interfleet-recruits-interface-specialist Wheel and rail interface specialist Jerry Evans has joined international rail consultancy Interfleet Technology. He will help to offer a service to clients who typically only have access to experts in either rolling stock or track issues, but not both. Evans has had  senior roles at DeltaRail, AEA Technology Rail and BR Research.

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People Fri, 1 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT 11951
Ackhurst leaves SWT for own consultancy https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/11947/ackhurst-leaves-swt-for-own-consultancy Bruce Ackhurst has left South West Trains as commercial and marketing director, a role which he took up last spring, to form his own consultancy in this area.  Ackhurst has previously worked for four major companies in the telecoms industry, including Vodafone UK and Orange UK, and was interim director at Eurostar, where  he was responsible for pricing, revenue management and all booking operations globally.

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People Lead Story Fri, 1 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT 11947
CPTs report calls for more partnership https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/11743/cpt-s-report-calls-for-more-partnership

Clearly timed to co-incide with the publication of the Local Transport Bill earlier this month, the Confederation of Passenger Transport has published a new report, Moving Forward: New Opportunities, New Passengers. It shows how the industry trade association feels bus use can be increased with out the need for greater regulatory powers. The research, undertaken in conjunction with consultancy firm TAS, reveals that a 10% increase in bus speeds across 10% of the bus networks of the six Eng

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News Extra Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT 11743
Network Rail claims stable finances provide strong platform for future https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/11702/network-rail-claims-stable-finances-provide-strong-platform-for-future Latest results published by Network Rail show a strong base from which to deliver the huge infrastructure upgrade projects set out in the government’s sustainable railway white paper, the company said last week. In the first six months of 2007/08, punctuality was the best for a decade with 90.9% of trains on time, Network Rail delay minutes fell by 5% and finances were comfortable, with pre-tax profit up 4% at £780m. “The company now has a stable financial position which is

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Rail News Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT 11702
Are we here to serve customers or government? https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/11679/are-we-here-to-serve-customers-or-government-

This is the time of year to reflect, but more importantly to look ahead. My piece a year ago was headlined ‘A tough year? It will get worse’. I for one really do hope that that doesn’t apply this December too. I said then that confusion over concessionary travel arrangements and the prospect of regulatory change was undermining business confidence. A year on, could I say that again? Has anything changed? And what do we as an industry need to deliver in 2008 to be able to loo

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Ben Colson Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT 11679
Tough start to 2008 for Network Rail https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/11574/tough-start-to-2008-for-network-rail It’s been a difficult start to 2008 for Network Rail. The infrastructure controller is under fire after engineering works over the Christmas and New Year overran by several days, prompting Virgin Trains and One Railway to complaints to the Office of Rail Regulation. The news came after it emerged that the ORR’s chief executive Bill Emery has told the Department for Transport that Network Rail’s strategic business plan is inefficient and overpriced by as much as £5bn.

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Regular News Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT 11574
ORR says inefficient Network Rail business plan overpriced by up to 5bn https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/11582/orr-says-inefficient-network-rail-business-plan-overpriced-by-up-to-5bn

Network Rail has been told that its Strategic Business Plan is inefficient and overpriced by up to £5bn. In its initial assessment of the plan, the Office of Rail Regulation rejected Network Rail's complaint that extra public funding would be needed to deliver the government’s five-year High Level Output Specification for 2009-14. Chief executive Bill Emery has told the Department for Transport that a maximum of £22.8bn is needed, compared to Network Rail’s estimat

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Rail News Lead Story Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT 11582
Virgin and One rail complain to ORR as Network Rail overrun https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/11591/virgin-and-one-rail-complain-to-orr-as-network-rail-overrun

Virgin trains and One Railway have complained to the Office of Rail Regulation, after Network Rail engineering works over Christmas and New Year overran by several days. It left Liverpool Street station closed on January 2, and as Transit was going to press on January 3, key parts of the West Coast Main Line remained shut, four days after they should have been reopened.  Network Rail said the work on a £415m remodelling programme at Rugby, and on overhead lines on the approach to

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Rail News Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT 11591
Open access operators believe future is bright https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/11607/open-access-operators-believe-future-is-bright

When it finally happened last month, the launch of Grand Central’s open access venture was a quiet affair, in stark contrast to the years of wrangling and the suggestions of skulduggery which preceded it. Certainly open access has raised the temperatures of rail industry executives like little else. The Office of Rail Regulation’s decision in February 2006 to allow Grand Central to operate between London and Sunderland was memorably branded “arrogant”, “stupid&rd

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Regular Feature Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT 11607
DfT favours roads over public transport https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/11541/dft-favours-roads-over-public-transport Government appraisal and funding systems favour road building, and make it difficult for local councils to secure money for public transport, according to research by Steer Davies Gleave. The report, commissioned by Buckinghamshire County Council and Friends of the Earth to investigate options for improving transport other than by a road building project in the area, found that a mix of measures including good bus and rail services would be cheaper and better value for money. Campaign for Better

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In brief Mon, 7 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT 11541
Green light for Mayne purchase by Stagecoach https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/11533/green-light-for-mayne-purchase-by-stagecoach THE OFFICE of Fair Trading this week approved Stagecoach’s proposed acquisition of the Manchester bus operations of long established independent operator Mayne. News of the purchase had surprised the industry late last year with no official announcement being made by the group and the deal only became public knowledge when the Office of Fair Trading announced it was to investigate the proposed sale. Commenting on the OFT’s approval of the purchase, a Stagecoach spokesman told T

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Bus News Mon, 7 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT 11533
Network Rail resists demands to cut rail spending to European levels https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/11509/network-rail-resists-demands-to-cut-rail-spending-to-european-levels

Network Rail is resisting demands to cut the cost of running the railway to European levels. The company was told last month that its £24.6bn business plan for 2009-2014 was overpriced by at least £1.8bn. Greater reductions in the cost of operations, maintenance and renewal than Network Rail proposed were highlighted as key means of bridging the gap. However, in a letter to Network Rail chief executive Iain Coucher outlining how the company should update its business plan, Off

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Rail News Mon, 7 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT 11509
TOCs fear shaken Network Rail could hinder industrys progress https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/11504/tocs-fear-shaken-network-rail-could-hinder-industry-s-progress

Train operators are starting to express concern that Network Rail could suffer a loss of confidence similar to the paralysis that afflicted Railtrack after the Hatfield crash, following the chaos surrounding the company’s New Year engineering projects. The fears surfaced at an industry meeting held by the Office of Rail Regulation last week which was dominated by discussion of Network Rail’s high profile mismanagement of schemes at Rugby, Liverpool Street and Glasgow, and the sub

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Lead Story Mon, 7 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT 11504
Punctuality improvement or slower journeys? https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/11485/punctuality-improvement-or-slower-journeys-

The wait is over and, after almost 12 months, the Department for Transport has published the headline results of the Bus Punctuality statistics for 2007. There’s no need to shoot the messenger, for the news is good - 75% of non-frequent buses in Great Britain outside London departed from bus stops “on time”, that is within a window of one minute early and up to five minutes late. But with bus compliance officers about to be given the teeth to enforce better compliance, are oper

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Other Columnist Mon, 7 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT 11485
Go with the flow not against it Network Rail https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/3428/go-with-the-flow-not-against-it-network-rail When Willy Walsh declined to take a bonus that would have been worth a reported £750,000 there were sharp intakes of breath. A gesture no doubt but a mighty impressive one at that. What was the cause of his act of magnanimity? The Heathrow Terminal 5 debacle of course. The headlines he got were fulsome in their praise of the man standing up, taking responsibility and doing it in a way that must have hurt a lot. Well done that man. Contrast this with the response given to Bill Emery when

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John Nelson Fri, 4 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT 3428
Survey shows TOCs still dissatisfied with the infrastructure controller https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/3395/survey-shows-tocs-still-dissatisfied-with-the-infrastructure-controller Train operators still have a negative perception of the service offered by Network Rail and their opinion of the company has deteriorated. The 2007/08 Mori poll into customer satisfaction commissioned by the infrastructure controller showed that the company’s overall rating among passenger train operators declined from -0.14 in 2006/07 to -0.21 and from 0.0 to -0.85 among freight operators. The results came from a survey of 236 managers and directors at passenger and freight operat

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Rail News Fri, 4 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT 3395
Crow says Network Rail membership as influential as writing letter to your MP https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/3393/crow-says-network-rail-membership-as-influential-as--writing-letter-to-your-mp-

RMT general secretary Bob Crow has made one of the most damning public criticisms of Network Rail’s corporate governance structure. Crow, one of Network Rail’s 70 public members, said he felt the membership had no real power to hold the board to account or to call for the company to make improvements. He was especially critical of the composition of the membership, the lack of formal meetings between membership and board, and of the directors’ ability to brush off any concer

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Rail News Lead Story Fri, 4 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT 3393
Bell welcomes Preston Bus and Stagecoachs deal to end bus war https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/3387/bell-welcomes-preston-bus-and-stagecoach-s-deal-to-end-bus-war

Peace has seemingly broken out between Preston Bus and Stagecoach North West with a deal signed that should lead to the end of the city’s heated bus war. Traffic commissioner Beverley Bell has welcomed the deal, which was brokered by Lancashire County Council. She said: “I hope now that this sorry period that has done so much harm to the good name of the bus industry can be put behind us and the people of Preston will get the safe and reliable services they are entitled to. &ld

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Bus News Lead Story Fri, 4 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT 3387
FCP consultancy expands practice https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/3381/fcp-consultancy-expands-practice Rail consultancy First Class Partnerships has appointed Peter Davies as senior operations and planning advisor of its operations practice. He will play a lead role in analysing operational feasibility, service performance, capacity and cost efficiency. Davies has over 35 years’ experience in the rail industry, from working with British Rail, various roles with Network South East to most recently, at Scott Wilson Railways, where he worked on franchise bids and developed the service speci

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People Thu, 3 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT 3381
Rail patronage growth hits 30% since turn of the century https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/3304/rail-patronage-growth-hits-30-since-turn-of-the-century THE?growth?in rail patronage since fiscal year 2000/01 is approaching 30%, according to the most recent statistics published by the Office of Rail Regulation. The figures cover the second quarter of the financial year, i.e. June to September, and suggest strong growth in two of the three sectors, but with some slow-down in the regional franchises. The figures show that passenger journeys reached a total of 299.9 million in the quarter, 6.9% higher than in 2006/07,  and 30.9% higher th

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Business Monitor Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT 3304
First to expand in south west with Truronian buy https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/3284/first-to-expand-in-south-west-with-truronian-buy

First Devon & Cornwall has announced that it intends to acquire Cornish independent bus operator Truronian in a deal that is subject to clearance by the Office of Fair Trading, completion of the due diligence process and board approval. Rumours have abounded in recent weeks about the future of the Truro-based business with First, Stagecoach and Veolia all being linked to a sale. One industry source told Transit that he understood that the Truronian directors had been locked in final negot

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Bus News Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT 3284
House of Lords opens the way for bus operators to co-ordinate their timetables https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/3272/house-of-lords-opens-the-way-for-bus-operators-to-co-ordinate-their-timetables

BUS OPERATORS are likely to be able to co-ordinate their services without the fear of an Office of Fair Trading investigation under an amendment to the Local Transport Bill tabled by Lord Bassam of Brighton. During the Bill’s report stage in the House of Lords, Bassam, the government’s transport spokesman, put forward the amendment to extend the proposed competition test that would apply to voluntary partnership agreements between local authorities and bus operators in place of th

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Bus News Lead Story Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT 3272
Could ORR monitor rail ticket retailing? https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/3262/could-orr-monitor-rail-ticket-retailing- The Office of Rail Regulation has suggested it could be given powers to monitor ticket retailing and fares information. Chairman Chris Bolt said the move could help dispel passengers’ perception that operators do not always sell them the cheapest available ticket. He also hinted that ORR could advise on whether fare rises are justified. In a speech to think tank Politeia, Bolt said that at present ORR is powerless to intervene if it considers fare rises were too high, before adding tha

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Rail News Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT 3262
ORR - Network Rail up to 40% less efficient than European average https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/3238/orr--network-rail-up-to-40-less-efficient-than-european-average Studies by the Office of Rail Regulation have concluded that Network Rail is one of the least efficient rail infrastructure companies in Europe and that its business plan is overpriced by up to £5bn. A key factor in its verdict was analysis of 13 rail European infrastructure managers which showed that Network Rail may be 30-40% less efficient than the European average.  Whereas Network Rail has insisted in its business plan that it requires £24.6bn to deliver the govern

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Regular News Wed, 2 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT 3238
Another fine mess https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/3205/another-fine-mess When Railtrack was fined by the rail regulator for being in breach of its license it was clear that its shareholders would have to take notice. If they failed to get the rail infrastructure company’s management to perform, the value of their investment would be hit. Railtrack’s successor, Network Rail, was fined £14m this week for overrunning engineering work in the New Year, but what difference will it make? Network Rail is of course a not-for-profit company with a mission

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Opinion Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT 3205
ORR aims to reduce human mistakes https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/3189/orr-aims-to-reduce-human-mistakes The Office of Rail Regulation published a policy last week on managing risks that result from human mistakes. It recognises the statutory responsibilities of employers and staff to manage the consequences of people’s mistakes, and draws attention to the “human factors” that can cause mistakes. ORR will work with rail companies and other organisations to develop and promote good practice in managing risks arising from such mistakes. David Morris, ORR’s deputy chief insp

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In brief Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT 3189
West Coast Main Line upgrade work is 13 weekends behind https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/3173/west-coast-main-line-upgrade-work-is-13-weekends-behind The West Coast Main Line upgrade will not be finished this year without huge unscheduled disruption to services, threatening Virgin’s plans to run its new high frequency timetable from December 2008. It emerged this week that Network Rail is 315 hours behind on projects in the Rugby area and would need the equivalent of 13 extra weekend possessions to complete the works in time for the 2008 timetable to start as planned. Network Rail said it had been developing proposals for completing

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Rail News Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT 3173
Network Rail fined record 14m by ORR for New Year overruns https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/3170/network-rail-fined-record-14m-by-orr-for-new-year-overruns

Network Rail has been fined a record £14m and told to remedy “systemic weaknesses” in the way it plans and manages engineering works and communicates with train operators. The action was demanded by the Office of Rail Regulation following its investigation into the overruns which afflicted New Year engineering works at Rugby, Liverpool Street and Glasgow, and prevented operators from running full timetables for several days The ORR concluded that the late delivery of the

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Rail News Lead Story Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT 3170
Bus action plan for North East Scotland https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/3131/bus-action-plan-for-north-east-scotland Consultants have been commissioned to produce a deliverable bus action plan for the Aberdeen city and shire region. Transport planning specialist MVA Consultancy has been appointed by Nestrans, the Regional Transport Partnership for the north east of Scotland, to develop a detailed action plan to implement its Regional Transport Strategy. The study will look at current demand for bus services, new opportunities and possible impediments to greater use of bus before recommending a series of measur

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In brief Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT 3131
Network Rail says ORR stance could freeze work on enhancements https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/3053/network-rail-says-orr-stance-could-freeze-work-on-enhancements Network Rail has threatened to take action which could freeze work on major enhancement projects such as the Thameslink programme, if the Office of Rail Regulation continues to demand that the company make “impossible” cost reductions. Chief executive Iain Coucher warned that unless ORR changes its stance on Network Rail’s funding settlement for the next five years, he would have “no choice” but to refer the matter to the Competition Commission, whose inquiries c

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Rail News Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT 3053
National Express East Anglia hit by Bank Holiday overruns again https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/3072/national-express-east-anglia-hit-by-bank-holiday-overruns-again

Overruns to Network Rail engineering works have hit National Express East Anglia services for the third consecutive Bank Holiday. National Express said the disruption caused by the late completion of Easter engineering works was characterised by the same poor communication, project supervision and planning from Network Rail which had affected projects last August Bank Holiday and over the New Year. The company will now take up Network Rail’s successive failures to hand the line back to

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Rail News Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT 3072
ORR warns Network Rail over Great Western performance https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/3074/orr-warns-network-rail-over-great-western-performance The Office of Rail Regulation has warned Network Rail that it risks breaching its licence if it fails to improve performance on its Western route. After receiving Network Rail and First Great Western’s new joint performance improvement plan, ORR director of access planning and performance Michael Lee told Network Rail performance that the targets in the plan must be hit.  He highlighted that only 83% of FGW services arrived on time in the last quarter, compared with a nationa

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Rail News Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT 3074
New rail recruits at Steer Davies Gleave https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/3104/new-rail-recruits-at-steer-davies-gleave Two new rail specialists have joined leading transport consultancy Steer Davies Gleave’s London office. Associate Ben Wilson joins SDG with experience of major capital investment projects. Previously an independent consultant, he had leading roles on projects with the Department for Transport, on the procurement of a new fleet rolling stock for Thameslink, and at Transport for London, on the proposed £240m North London Railway lines upgrade. David Ford joins as a senior consult

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People Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT 3104
North Star appoints new director https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/3041/north-star-appoints-new-director North Star, consultancy for customer service in the rail-air sector, has appointed Debbie Syme as its new director. She joins from Heathrow Express. As director for North Star, Symes will provide full service operational advice on rail-air and other service start-ups so businesses worldwide can strengthen their position in today’s competitive market place. Rod Hoare, chairman for North Star said: “Debbie has the experience of planning, project managing and implementing success

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People Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT 3041
Rail patronage growth slows during the autumn https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/3033/rail-patronage-growth-slows-during-the-autumn THERE?were some signs of a slowing down in the rate of patronage growth on the national rail system, according to the latest provision figures published by the Office of Rail Regulation.The estimates cover the period from October to December last year. Across the country as a whole, the number of passenger kilometres travelled  grew by 4.4% during the autumn, but this compared with growth of 6.9% in the same quarter in 2006/07. The highest growth was achieved in London and the south eas

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Business Monitor Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT 3033
Will National Express blow open access out of water? https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/3028/will-national-express-blow-open-access-out-of-water- The contest between GNER and open access operators Grand Central and Hull Trains to run extra services on the East Coast Main Line was one of the most colourful events in recent railway history. But that extraordinary episode is already beginning to look like a WI garden party compared to the spat brewing between the ECML’s new franchised company National Express East Coast and the open access companies. The dramas of 2005 and 2006 were fought out over the open access operators’

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Business Comment Lead Story Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT 3028
Network Rail must drop the arrogance https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/3027/network-rail-must--the-arrogance

In my forecast of industry events for 2008, I wrote that this would be the year when Network Rail became the main focus of attention. Enough has happened in the first quarter of the year to underpin my assertion that Network Rail’s charmed life is coming to an end. Since Christmas the media have been chock full of bad news stories critical of its performance. Practically all of these have picked up on the various engineering work debacles taking place on and around public holidays. The

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John Nelson Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT 3027
Independents report council to the OFT https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/3005/independents-report-council-to-the-oft As transit closed for press, two operators announced that they are to report Brighton &?Hove Council to the Office of Fair Trading. Independents Compass Travel and Countryliner claim they were not invited to bid for local bus routes in Brighton & Hove due to start in September of this year. The council has refused to extend the deadline for tenders and has admitted that apart from Go Ahead subsidiary Brighton & Hove, who bid for all services, only one other operator submitted a te

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Bus News Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT 3005
Wrexham to London trains to start soon https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/3000/wrexham-to-london-trains-to-start-soon Wrexham & Shropshire’s new direct train service to London will start on April 28, offering passengers five trains a day in each direction between stations from Wrexham, through Shropshire, to London Marylebone. The announcement comes after the company received its safety certificate and formal operating licence from the Office of Rail Regulation. The rolling stock that will be used is currently being refurbished to offer passengers a modern, comfortable travelling environment once c

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In brief Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT 3000
Passenger Focus says where 14m Network Rail fine should be spent https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/2995/passenger-focus-says-where-14m-network-rail-fine-should-be-spent

Passenger Focus has drawn up a list of customer service improvements for Network Rail to deliver in lieu of the £14m fine which the Office of Rail Regulation plans to impose on the company for mismanagement of its New Year engineering works. Passenger Focus chief executive Anthony Smith pointed out that if Network Rail is fined, the money will disappear from the rail industry, and argued that providing targeted investment would be some degree of compensation to passengers for the New Ye

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Rail News Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT 2995
East Coast renewals and seven-day railway face axe without new funds https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/2982/east-coast-renewals-and-seven-day-railway-face-axe-without-new-funds Network Rail has said it will axe a raft of high-profile enhancements needed to increase capacity and improve punctuality unless the government provides it with  additional funding or approves additional borrowing. Projects worth £1.3bn are under threat including plans to implement a seven-day railway and upgrade the overhead wires on the East Coast Main Line - a project considered essential for National Express East Coast to meet performance targets. Other projects facing the axe

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Regular News Tue, 24 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT 2982
TfL manager joins Steer Davies Gleave https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/2909/tfl-manager-joins-steer-davies-gleave Former travel plan manager for Transport for London, Patrick Allcorn, has joined Steer Davies Gleave as an associate. Allcorn developed and led TfL’s smarter choices team from a section with a £3m budget to a department reporting directly to London transport commissioner Peter Hendy.

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People Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT 2909
FCP director donned master engineer https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/2908/fcp-director-donned-master-engineer- Director of rail consultancy First Class Partnerships Tony Roche has been appointed as Master of the Worshipful Company of Engineers - the City of London Livery Companies. Roche holds the position, and title of 'The Master Engineer', for one year. The railway mechanical engineer, retired as British Rail’s board member for engineering and safety in 1998, and was later president of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in 2001/2. At FCP, Roche has led consultancy work in engineering man

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People Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT 2908
ECML plan will be reviewed after NXEC objects https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/2858/ecml-plan-will-be-reviewed-after-nxec-objects National Express East Coast formally objected at the end of last month to Network Rail’s assessment of capacity on the East Coast Main Line, which suggests that a major infrastructure upgrade would be needed for NXEC to deliver the service expansion on which its business plan depends. The assessment contained in the East Coast Route Utilisation Strategy indicates that a £225m upgrade to the Great Northern/Great Eastern joint line would be needed to provide sufficient paths to ac

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Rail News Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT 2858
Increased West Coast disruption after ORR agrees Network Rail plan https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/2857/increased-west-coast-disruption-after-orr-agrees-network-rail-plan Rail services on the West Coast Main Line face increased disruption for the rest of the year after the Office of Rail Regulation agreed to Network Rail’s revised plan to complete the West Coast upgrade. It involves taking the equivalent of 13 extra weekend possessions this year in order to complete the work on schedule and in time for the December 2008 timetable changes (Transit February 29). Network Rail’s plan, which was favoured by train operators on the route other than Virgin

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Rail News Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT 2857
TPE margins dip despite 19% patronage growth https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/2835/tpe-margins-dip-despite-19-patronage-growth

TRAIN operator First/Keolis TransPennine recorded increased operating and pre-tax profits in the year to March 31 2007, but traded at slightly reduced margins, according to its annual accounts. The company operates a network of services linking Newcastle, Middlesbrough and the Yorkshire coast with Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool, as well as providing services between Manchester Airport and Cumbria. Services from the airport to Blackpool were added in 2006 and northwards to Scotland in Decemb

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Business Monitor Fri, 6 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT 2835
ORR appoints new rail safety director https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/2767/orr-appoints-new-rail-safety-director Ian Prosser has been appointed as director of railway safety by the Office of Rail Regulation, having worked in safety critical industries for over 26 years. He will start in August and will work with the present director, Linda Williams until she retires in September. Transport secretary Ruth Kelly will appoint him to the ORR board on September 26.

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People Fri, 6 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT 2767
ORR attacked over decision to give 14m fine straight back to Treasury https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/2729/orr-attacked-over-decision-to-give-14m-fine-straight-back-to-treasury

Network Rail is to be fined £14m for the overruns to its New Year engineering works despite pleas from the industry and Passenger Focus that the money should be spent on improvements to the network instead. Confirming its draft decision to fine the company, the Office of Rail Regulation said that the overruns and the weaknesses in Network Rail’s procedures which caused them were so severe that only a financial penalty would be adequate. “We remain convinced that the syste

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Rail News Fri, 6 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT 2729
Network Rail structure in question as regulator rejects funding claim https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/2693/network-rail-structure-in-question-as-regulator-rejects-funding-claim

Network Rail’s widely-criticised corporate governance is under renewed scrutiny. A review into the company’s structure has just been launched by the Office of Rail Regulation which will gather evidence on whether the public members appointed by the company are proving effective in holding the board to account. It will also determine whether the corporate governance conditions in the company’s licence need to be strengthened. The review will be welcomed by train operators

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Lead Story Fri, 6 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT 2693
Stagecoach to buy Maynes of Manchester? https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/339/stagecoach-to-buy-maynes-of-manchester- The Office of Fair Trading has announced that it is to investigate the proposed acquisition by Stagecoach Manchester of the local bus services of Maynes of Manchester. The deal has been rumoured for some time, however the first announcement made by the group concerns the OFT’s interest in the deal. Family-owned Maynes operate 40 buses from a base in Clayton on a variety of tendered and commercial bus services throughout Manchester. Maynes’ 20 vehicle coach fleet and its Warrington

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Bus News Fri, 16 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT 339
Network Rail delays less but worse on FGW https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/322/network-rail-delays-less-but-worse-on-fgw The number of trains arriving on time is 88.7%, ahead of the industry target of 88.3%, according to the Office of Rail Regulation’s periodic national rail review and Network Rail monitor for the second quarter of 2007-08. Network Rail’s delay minutes are also running at a lower level than a year ago. However performance on its western route remain poor, with delays worse than the levels projected in the joint improvement plan agreed with First Great Western. Bill Emery, ORR chief

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Rail News Fri, 16 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT 322
MVA to evaluate crowding on railways https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/321/mva-to-evaluate-crowding-on-railways The Department for Transport has commissioned consultants MVA to carry out research into the value which passengers place on reducing overcrowding on the rail network. MVA will also study passengers’ behavioural responses to crowding on the railways, and evaluate their willingness to pay to reduce overcrowding.

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Rail News Fri, 16 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT 321
TOCs making a difference https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/317/tocs-making-a-difference the disparity of the growth rates achieved by Britain’s train operators since privatisation dispels the assertion that growth is wholly down to the performance of the economy, according to analysis by rail industry consultant First Class Partnerships. Midland Mainline, which became part of the new East Midlands franchise this week, has achieved 100% growth in passenger numbers - twice the industry average. “The reality is that there are distinct winners and losers that reflect the

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Rail News Fri, 16 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT 317
Network Rail needs to offer leadership instead of bleating https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/291/network-rail-needs-to-offer-leadership-instead-of-bleating In any funding negotiation, it is de-rigeur for the two sides to start off complaining about the polar opposite position the other is taking. But rarely can there have been so much plaintive bleating as has come from Network Rail in its Strategic Business Plan. The document, billed as a response to the government’s Sustainable Railway White Paper, High Level Output Statement, Statement of Funds Available et al may come in at 220 pages plus route plans. But in essence the message to the

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Business Comment Lead Story Fri, 2 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT 291
Winsor held gun to Darlings head and defied bid to oust him https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/183/winsor-held-gun-to-darling-s-head-and-defied-bid-to-oust-him

Tom Winsor effectively held a gun to Alistair Darling’s head to ensure the government would not abolish independent rail regulation either during Railtrack’s administration or the 2004 rail review. The revelations are contained in a letter which former rail regulator Winsor left for the new ORR Board on his departure from office. In the document released under the Freedom of Information Act, Winsor tells the ORR board that he used considerable “leverage” to force then

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Rail News Lead Story Fri, 19 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT 183
Independent regulation of bus and rail must be defended https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/227/independent-regulation-of-bus-and-rail-must-be-defended The independence of the regulators of both the bus and rail industries has again been cast into the spotlight. Both are at risk and the industry must be vigilant if it is to avoid its regulators being brought under the control of political masters. Independent economic regulation in the rail industry could have been scrapped years ago if rail regulator Tom Winsor had not been so forthright in its defence. It has emerged that Winsor managed to force then transport secretary Alistair Darling in

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Business Monitor Fri, 19 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT 227
Stay Cahm and dont panic https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/141/stay-cahm-and-don-t-panic The issue of bus quality was a hot topic at a number of conferences held around the country last week. In Daventry, Malcolm Buchanan noted that buying a ticket on a bus was “a procedure like opening a bank account” for many people. But in Scotland, they are much more blunt and to the point. In a video address from the comfort of a Lothian Buses vehicle to the CPT Scotland conference at Gleneagles, Gavin Booth of Bus Users UK gave a passionate speech on the need for better buses, par

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In Passing Fri, 5 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT 141
Population growth and problem buses lead Daventry to opt for PRT network https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/132/population-growth-and-problem-buses-lead-daventry-to-opt-for-prt-network

REGIONAL PLANS that will see the population of Daventry in Northamptonshire almost double by 2021 have led the district council to opt for a Personalised Rapid Transit system, a conference in the town heard last week. Malcolm Buchanan, managing director of consultancy firm Colin Buchanan told delegates at the Daventry Transport Conference 2007 that the PRT system was part of plans to rejuvenate the town and to accommodate the planned growth as part of a wider study conducted by his firm into

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Rail News Lead Story Fri, 5 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT 132
Stagecoach Yorkshire sees 30-vehicle licence cut at inquiry https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/35/stagecoach-yorkshire-sees-30-vehicle-licence-cut-at-inquiry STAGECOACH YORKSHIRE’S Yorkshire Traction operation based in Barnsley has been hit with a 30-vehicle reduction of its operating licence following a public inquiry into allegations of poor maintenance standards At five of the operator’s depots, an investigation by VOSA staff saw 13 vehicles issued with delayed prohibitions for a variety of offenses, including braking system problems and oil leaks. A further two vehicles received delayed prohibitions and a further two were given S-m

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Bus News Fri, 21 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT 35
Winsor warns of regulation threat https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/21/winsor-warns-of-regulation-threat

Former rail regulator Tom Winsor has warned that the Office of Rail Regulation is considering reforms which would give Network Rail a new role monitoring train operators' performance. In the foreword to Transit’s Transport Law Review, Winsor said that the plan may be included in a consultation later this year or early next year, and that it would fundamentally alter the nature of the relationship between operators and Network Rail.  “In 2007-08, we may see controversial propo

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Rail News Lead Story Fri, 21 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT 21
WSMR open access approved despite Virgin and ATWs pleas https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/389/wsmr-open-access-approved-despite-virgin-and-atw-s-pleas

A new open access service between Wales, Shropshire and London has been approved by the Office of Rail Regulation in the face of vehement objections from Virgin and Arriva Trains Wales. The new company, WSMR, expects to start operating five return services per weekday plus a reduced weekend service in the spring. A management team has been drawn from 50% shareholder Laing Rail, and will be headed by managing director Andy Hamilton, a former engineering director of Chiltern Railways. It wil

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Lead Story Fri, 7 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT 389
Rail moves up travel market https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/413/rail-moves-up-travel-market Train operators’ efforts to improve customer service have contributed to a fundamental shift in the travel market in favour of rail, the Office of Rail Regulation has concluded. In particular, ORR highlighted that investment in new websites and retailing systems had made rail travel more accessible, and that new trains were improving perception of the railway, while air and car travel were suffering from tighter security measures and increased road congestion. Meanwhile, rail was benefitin

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Rail News Fri, 7 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT 413
Network Rail must improve rapidly at Great Western or face penalties https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/414/network-rail-must-improve-rapidly-at-great-western-or-face-penalties The office of Rail Regulation has told Network Rail to make rapid improvements to its performance on First Great Western’s routes, or face enforcement action. The warning was spelt out to Network Rail chief executive Iain Coucher during a meeting at which the ORR demanded an explanation for continuing poor performance in the West Country. In the first quarter of 2007/08, delays attributable to Network Rail were 15-20% higher than the target the company committed to in its Joint Perfo

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Rail News Fri, 7 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT 414
ORR warns Network Rail could derail Virgins capacity plans https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/407/orr-warns-network-rail-could-derail-virgin-s-capacity-plans Virgin’s plans to deliver 10 million extra seats on the West Coast Main Line next year are being threatened by Network Rail falling behind on key projects. The Office of Rail Regulation warned last week that Network Rail’s problems meant it would now be “challenging” for the company to complete West Coast infrastructure works in time for Virgin’s December 2008 timetable. This could scupper plans for extra services to Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow. In the

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Rail News Fri, 7 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT 407
Network Rail faces target to satisfy TOCs https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/394/network-rail-faces-target-to-satisfy-tocs Network rail could be set customer satisfaction targets by the Office of Rail Regulation if it does not introduce them voluntarily. The new targets would require Network Rail to improve the satisfaction ratings train operators give the company in its annual Mori poll, which ORR noted had been disappointing. Operators have complained in the surveys about Network Rail’s slow responses to its requirements, and the variable nature of its service. “If Network Rail were to give signific

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Regular News Fri, 7 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT 394
OFT clears Arrivas Darlington purchase https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/482/oft-clears-arriva-s-darlington-purchase The Office of Fair Trading has announced that it has given its blessing for Sunderland-based Arriva to acquire Stagecoach’s Darlington bus operations. Arriva North East has announced that from this weekend all of the Perth-based group’s Darlington operations and its 78 staff will transfer to Arriva and it will move from its town centre depot at Feethams to the newer facilities available at the former Stagecoach premises in Faverdale.

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Bus News Fri, 24 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT 482
MVA offers advice and technology support for smart card developers worldwide https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/519/mva-offers-advice-and-technology-support-for-smart-card-developers-worldwide

MVA Consultancy is one of the leading companies providing independent consultancy advice and support to central government agencies, local authorities and operators in respect of smart card technology for ticketing. This advice covers the complete project life cycle, from scheme design, through business case development and funding to procurement, implementation and onward development of schemes. Besides practical advice on the procurement and issue of smart cards, this also includes the sup

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Business Back-Up Lead Story Fri, 24 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT 519
ORR wants department to publish a justification of its policy on rail fares https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/466/orr-wants-department-to-publish-a-justification-of-its-policy-on-rail-fares

The rail regulator has told Department for Transport rail director general Mike Mitchell that he should publicly justify the 20% fare rises introduced at South West Trains this summer, and other inflation-busting hikes which he has sanctioned in new franchise agreements. In correspondence between the DfT, passenger watchdogs and the Office of Rail Regulation, released by Passenger Focus last week, ORR chief executive Bill Emery argues that falling rail industry costs should reduce upward pres

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Rail News Fri, 24 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT 466
Franchising policy under scrutiny in ROCSOs competition investigation https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/469/franchising-policy-under-scrutiny-in-rocsos-competition-investigation The Competition Commission has announced that it will be scrutinising the government’s franchising policy as a core part of its inquiry into the rolling stock leasing market. In a statement published last week, the commission identified franchising policy as one of the three most likely causes of any distortions in the market, alongside the behaviour of the rolling stock leasing companies and the behaviour of train operators and manufacturers. The decision to investigate the franch

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Rail News Fri, 24 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT 469
Ambitious projections for passenger revenue and Network Rails spending https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/511/ambitious-projections-for-passenger-revenue-and-network-rail-s-spending The table below provides an analysis of the rail industry’s finances during the next five-year control period, as envisaged in the Department for Transport’s High Level Output Statement, but with inflation stripped out. This is then compared with estimates by consultants TAS for the same headings in 2005/06. A number of fascinating things arise from this analysis, not least the growth expected in the different types of income and expenditure. The first is that passenger reve

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Regular Feature Fri, 24 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT 511
DfT sets 92% train punctuality target and tells Network Rail to raise its game https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/616/dft-sets-92-train-punctuality-target-and-tells-network-rail-to-raise-its-game

The Department for Transport has called on Network Rail to raise its game after telling the industry that it must increase punctuality from the current 88.1% of trains on time to 92.6% in 2014. In its new five-year plan for the industry, the government made some rare criticism of the infrastructure operator’s record suggesting that value for money was not being provided from the huge increase in funding it has enjoyed. Noting that Network Rail’s performance in reducing delays

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Rail News Fri, 27 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT 616
SDG strengthens its team from the DfT https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/607/sdg-strengthens-its-team-from-the-dft Steer Davies Gleave has strengthened its management team with the appointment of Ben Still from the Department for Transport. Still will lead SDG’s strategic policy and planning team. He brings with him 15 years’ consultancy, management and academic experience in the transport sector. Ben has been with the DfT since 1999 and has held a number of posts. Before that, Still led the Permanent Secretary’s Private Office and also the CfIT secretariat under Peter Hendy.

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People Fri, 27 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT 607
ORR reviews track access contracts https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/644/orr-reviews-track-access-contracts The Office for Rail Regulation has proposed steps to enable Network Rail and train operating companies to take more responsibility for track access contracts, in a review published this week. ORR’s Criteria and Procedures for the Approval of Track Access Contracts sets the terms for access by operators to the network and other railway facilities.

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Rail News Fri, 27 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT 644
Stagecoach and the life of Brian https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/654/stagecoach-and-the-life-of-brian

“Whatever happens, you’ll enjoy it,” predicted a long-time associate of Brian Souter when he heard I was interviewing the maverick chief executive of Stagecoach. “He is very entertaining,” he added confidently. Ten minutes into the interview and those words are starting to have a hollow ring. Souter, in trademark dress-down attire, sits hunched in his seat in the uninspiring surroundings of a half-empty restaurant next door to London’s Liverpool Street stat

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Interview Fri, 27 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT 654
ORR says partnership is key to an efficient and developing railway https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/791/orr-says-partnership-is-key-to-an-efficient-and-developing-railway Office of Rail Regulation chairman Chris Bolt has  stressed that partnership is vital for a safe, high-performing efficient and developing railway in Great Britain. Addressing the Institute of Economic Affairs’ conference on The Future of Rail in London - in the run up to the government unveiling their High Level Output Statement and 30-year strategy in July - Bolt said: “It is good news for the railways that demand is growing year on year. But at the same time, expectation

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Rail News Fri, 29 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT 791
ORR welcomes new board member https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/747/orr-welcomes-new-board-member The Office of Rail Regulation has announced that Dr Chris Elliott will join the ORR board as a non-executive director at the start of July. Dr Elliott replaces Jeffrey Jowell QC, who has been a board member for three years. Elliott is an independent consultant with experience of rail and other transport issues. Peter Bucks, current chairman of the ORR’s Audit Committee and a member of the Remuneration and Periodic Review Committees, has been reappointed to the board for a further two y

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People Fri, 29 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT 747
OFT put Arriva bus takeover on hold https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/778/oft-put-arriva-bus-takeover-on-hold The Office of Fair Trading has announced that it is inviting comment on the expected acquisition of Stagecoach’s Darlington operations by local competitor Arriva. The Sunderland-based group bought the business for an undisclosed sum in early May but the deal was conditional on the OFT deciding whether to refer the transaction to the Competition Commission within a 40-day period. The OFT have said it may consider whether the acquisition will result in a lessening of competition that woul

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Bus News Fri, 29 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT 778
Bus operators give views on policy paper https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/774/bus-operators-give-views-on-policy-paper CONSULTANCY FIRM Steer Davies Gleave has produced a report on the views held by bus operators of the Putting Passengers First policy paper published last year by the government. The operators largely welcomed the policy paper, but one key criticism was that patronage growth will largely continue to be affected by the level of co-operation between them and local authorities. Another worry was the proposals risk unhelpful intervention and the operators  called for more government suppo

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Bus News Fri, 29 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT 774
Anger as regulator gives green light to excessive South West Trains fare hikes https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/1525/anger-as-regulator-gives-green-light-to-excessive--south-west-trains-fare-hikes South West Trains’ plans to raise off-peak fares by up to 20% have been given the go-ahead by the Office of Rail Regulation. In its ruling, the ORR all but washed its hands of responsibility to determine whether train operators are exploiting passengers through inflation-busting fare rises suggesting that it was a matter for the Department for Transport to address. The regulator said the high burden of proof and extensive evidence needed to determine whether a fare is excessive for c

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Rail News Lead Story Fri, 1 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT 1525
Interfleet grows its operations division https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/1523/interfleet-grows-its-operations-division Interfleet grows its operations division International rail consultancy Interfleet Technology  has strengthened its UK team with the appointment of two consultants Mike Lipscomb and David Owen.

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People Fri, 1 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT 1523
DfT confident that competition probe wont halt ROSCO orders https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/1386/dft-confident-that-competition-probe-won-t-halt-rosco-orders The Department for Transport has played down the prospect of the rolling stock leasing companies pulling the plug on funding new trains as a result of the forthcoming Competition Commission inquiry into the leasing market. The inquiry was called by the Office of Rail Regulation after talks aimed at resolving the government’s complaints that the ROSCOs are making ‘excess profits’, broke down.  The failure of the ROSCOs and the DfT to agree a solution ignores appeal

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Rail News Lead Story Fri, 4 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT 1386
First expands Scottish business with deal to acquire Hutchison bus routes https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/1392/first-expands-scottish-business-with-deal-to-acquire-hutchison-bus-routes FIRST IS to expand its operations in the west of Scotland with a deal to acquire the local bus services of long established and respected Lanarkshire-based operator Hutchison Coaches. The Aberdeen-based group says the deal will “ensure continuity for passengers through improved services and full job security with promotion prospects for drivers”. In total 50 members of staff will transfer from Hutchison to First, and the group will also acquire 20 of the operator’s most

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Bus News Fri, 4 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT 1392
Ex-SRA chief Newton joins MVA in rail https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/1416/ex-sra-chief-newton-joins-mva-in-rail MVA?Consultancy has appointed former Strategic Rail Authority chief executive Nick Newton as its director of rail strategy and development. Newton has previously worked at South Eastern Trains, the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising and London Transport.

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People Fri, 4 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT 1416
Theres no incentive for Network Rail to really outperform https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/1264/-there-s-no-incentive-for-network-rail-to-really-outperform- Network Rail’s targets are seen as too weak, a survey commissioned by the Office of Rail Regulation has shown. The survey, which will inform ORR’s future business plans, showed that many senior industry figures feel Network Rail is not being stretched. It concluded that “holding Network Rail more to account” is a key issue which industry stakeholders want ORR to address. A comment from one TOC manager highlighted in the research suggested Network Rail’s curren

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Rail News Thu, 5 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT 1264
Disorganised religion https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/1297/disorganised-religion It is always dangerous to invite your industry colleagues to say what they think of you, and certainly it takes a brave organisation to share the results. So hats off to the Office of Rail Regulation for publishing the conclusions of its ‘stakeholder survey’. Respondents did not hold back. For every view of ORR as a “well oiled machine” there were many more who enjoyed themselves with descriptions of the ORR from the mildly surreal “Methodist Minister” to

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In Passing Thu, 5 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT 1297
Network Rail under fire over enhancements https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/1111/network-rail-under-fire-over-enhancements Network rail has been severely criticised by the Office of Rail Regulation for the slow development and lack of precision of its enhancement proposals, designed to cater for 30% growth in passengers over the next decade. A “refresh” of the programme for 2009-14 (Control Period 4) by Network Rail has seen parts of the Thameslink project and West Coast works deferred, several projects recosted, several projects added to the programme and others removed or designated as low priority.

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Rail News Fri, 9 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT 1111
There's bus life outside of the PTE areas https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/1141/there-s-bus-life-outside-of-the-pte-areas The debate over the bus industry’s future has been polarised around the bus operators and the powerful PTAs/PTEs. But most of the country, geographically, lies outside the PTE areas, and the Association of Transport Co-ordinating Officers has been trying to ensure the needs of this vast area are taken into account as the industry’s structure is refined. This area includes sparsely populated rural areas where no services are operated commercially and people live considerable distan

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News Extra Fri, 9 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT 1141
Under performing TOCs in spotlight https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/1109/under-performing-tocs-in-spotlight Merseyrail and One have been highlighted by the Office of Rail Regulation as operators who need to improve their punctuality. The regulator said its scrutiny of the notoriously poor First Great Western intercity services was starting to pay off, and indicated that it would now be paying close attention to other underperforming TOCs as well. “We are continuing to closely monitor other TOCs whose performance is not improving in line with the national PPM, including Merseyrail Electrics and O

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Rail News Fri, 9 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT 1109
TOCs urged to improve information during service disruption https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/1107/tocs-urged-to-improve-information-during-service-disruption Passenger focus is pressing for clearer information on posters advising of service disruption during engineering work. Passenger Focus has discussed its concerns over the quality of information with the Association of Train Operating Companies. Simon Pickering, Wales manager for Passenger Focus, said: “There are issues about them being too generic, too wordy and often not displayed prominently in such a way that customers will notice them. It’s important to make it as simple for t

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Rail News Fri, 9 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT 1107
ORR funding advice could cut cost of running railway by fifth https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/1113/orr-funding-advice-could-cut-cost-of-running-railway-by-fifth New techniques being considered by Network Rail could potentially cut the cost of running the railway by over 20%. In its advice to ministers on Network Rail’s funding requirements from 2009-2014, the Office of Rail Regulation suggested that costs could be reduced from the £23.3bn estimated in the company’s Initial Strategic Business Plan last summer to between £18.4bn and £21.6bn. A review carried out for ORR at the end of last year showed that Network Rail c

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Rail News Fri, 9 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT 1113
TOCs remain unhappy with Network Rail https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/1096/tocs-remain-unhappy-with-network-rail TOCs remain unhappy with Network Rail Train operators remain dissatisfied with Network Rail’s service despite recent progress in addressing some of their key complaints. The infrastructure owner’s 2006/07 MORI survey of its customers included interviews with 244 senior train and freight operator managers who rated various aspects of the company’s service between +2 and -2. Overall, Network Rail was given a -0.1 score from TOC managers, compared to its -0.3 score in the 20

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Rail News Fri, 9 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT 1096
Reduction in track-related delays stalls https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/1112/reduction-in-track-related-delays-stalls Network rail has been told to improve its contingency plans for dealing with adverse weather conditions after its progress in reducing delays stalled in the second half of 2006. The Office of Rail Regulation said that delays which are the responsibility of Network Rail had fallen “very slowly if at all” during that time and said the situation was “a real cause for concern”. In its new edition of National Rail Review, ORR acknowledged that the summer heatwave follow

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Rail News Fri, 9 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT 1112
Livingstone calls in Tube PPP arbiter over Metronet cost overruns https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/967/livingstone-calls-in-tube-ppp-arbiter-over-metronet-cost-overruns

metronet has been called this week to ‘Extraordinary Review’ with the arbiter of the Tube PPP, by London mayor Ken  Livingstone, to resolve cost overruns and inefficiency. The Arbiter, Office of Rail Regulation chairman Chris Bolt, published his first annual review of the PPP?at in November (Transit November 24). The review highlighted a forecast overrun of £750m during the first seven-and-a-half year period. “The PPP contracts lack any real teeth,” L

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Rail News Fri, 9 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT 967
80m pioneer network of driverless cabs could replace buses in Daventry https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/971/-80m-pioneer-network-of-driverless-cabs-could-replace-buses-in-daventry consultants have worked out the cost of introducing a pioneering network of driverless taxis to the Northamptonshire town of Daventry. Colin Buchanan was appointed by Daventry District Council to compare the system, known as personal rapid transit or PRT, with options for conventional buses in the town, the majority of which are currently run by Stagecoach. The consultant concludes that the PRT network would have a benefit:cost ratio of 3.7:1. It would also allow the town’s bus netwo

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Technology News Fri, 9 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT 971
Centro media chief sets up consultancy https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/818/centro-media-chief-sets-up-consultancy Mik Barton, currently media manager for Centro-PTA in the West Midlands, is to leave his post in March after three years. He is planning to to set up his own PR consultancy, which will concentrate on work in the public and not-for-profit sector, but not necessarily on transport.

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People Fri, 12 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT 818
DfT opens up new dialogue over buses https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/811/dft-opens-up-new-dialogue-over-buses

The Department for Transport will shortly begin contacting stakeholders to hold discussions about its plans to change the framework for buses. Following the publication of its Putting Passengers First policy paper before Christmas (Transit December 22) the DfT will now open up a dialogue about issues emerging from its plans at working group level, through the Bus Partnership Forum. The first two working groups will look at quality contracts and punctuality. Junior transport minister Gill

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Regular News Fri, 12 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT 811
Commutes get longer as people get older https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/841/commutes-get-longer-as-people-get-older 70% of Britain’s commuters work more than a mile from home, with an average round trip of 16.7 miles a day, according to a new study undertaken by Hyder Consulting. Their research shows that as people get older, their commutes get longer.  The average commute of 18-24 year olds averages 13.4 miles a day and that of 45-54 year olds, 24.3 miles a day. However, the 55-64 year-old age group distance falls to an average of 14 miles a day, with more people choosing to work from home as t

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Regular News Fri, 12 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT 841
Board appointment for TAS Partnership https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/817/board-appointment-for-tas-partnership Public transport consultant The TAS Partnership has appointed Philip Higgs as an associate director with effect from January 1. Before joining TAS in 1999, had over 10 years direct public transport operational experience on road and rail. Higgs has latterly been a principal consultant leading a team with responsibility for a broad spectrum of work in the bus sector, working with most of the country’s leading operators on strategy development, ticketing and marketing initiatives, and dem

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People Fri, 12 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT 817
ROSCOs referred but its the DfT that is left with a red face https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/2682/roscos-referred-but-it-s-the-dft-that-is-left-with-a-red-face It is hard to imagine a more humiliating outcome for the government than the Office of Rail Regulation’s report into the rolling stock leasing market and the profits earned by the ROSCOs. When the Department for Transport announced it had asked the regulator to look into the matter, it did so in a triumphant manner, suggesting that it was about to pull the rug out from under a group of companies once described by the Treasury as “the worst kind of capitalists”. It is easy

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Business Comment Lead Story Fri, 8 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT 2682
Open access operator applies to run London to Wrexham https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/2642/open-access-operator-applies-to-run-london-to-wrexham The Wrexham, Shropshire & Marylebone Railway Company has applied formally to the Office of Rail Regulation to operate train services between London Marylebone and Wrexham General from the summer 2007. The application follows nine months of negotiations and discussions that have involved Network Rail and rolling stock suppliers as well as a large number of interested parties including MPs, the Welsh Assembly Members and Government, local authorities, business and passenger groups.

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Rail News Fri, 8 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT 2642
Franchising policy in the dock in probe into train leasing market https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/2615/franchising-policy-in-the-dock-in-probe-into-train-leasing-market The Department for Transport’s franchising policy is set to be put on trial after the Office of Rail Regulation slated its impact on the rolling stock leasing market. The ORR’s verdict came after a five-month investigation which was, ironically, requested by the DfT. The regulator’s report substantially rejected the department’s accusations that the three train leasing companies are earning excessive profits, describing the ROSCOs’ rate of return as “only m

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Rail News Lead Story Fri, 8 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT 2615
OFT must see bus as competitor to car https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/2511/-oft-must-see-bus-as-competitor-to-car- The Commons transport select committee has said that it is “ridiculous” that bus operators are forbidden from providing through-ticketing and co-ordinating scheduled services. The committee places the blame with the Office of Fair Trading because of its view that the bus is not a competitor to the car. “There must be a thorough review of how the Competition Act applies to bus services,” states the committee’s report into bus services in the UK. “The Offic

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In brief Fri, 10 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT 2511
Mystery rival copies Shropshire proposal https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/2500/mystery-rival-copies-shropshire-proposal A new would-be open access operator has submitted a scheme which largely duplicates Renaissance Trains’ idea, announced in February, for a Shropshire-London service. The new operation, STT, has told the Office of Rail Regulation that it, too, is drawing up plans for a service from Shrewsbury to the capital. Both STT and Renaissance would run from Shrewsbury to Birmingham, from where Renaissance would go to London Marylebone and STT to London Paddington. It is unclear at present how

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Regular Feature Fri, 10 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT 2500
Renaissance plots new open access services https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/2499/renaissance-plots-new-open-access-services

The team which set up the successful Hull Trains operation has revealed new details of its ideas for further open access services. The plans being drawn up by Renaissance Trains came to light after the Office of Rail Regulation requested information from all operators on service aspirations which could affect the new Midlands, West Coast and Cross Country franchises. Renaissance’s proposals would provide the first direct Nottingham-Glasgow and Humberside towns-London services on the pri

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News Extra Fri, 10 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT 2499
Rail industry must think radically about ways to cut its costs says ORR https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/2328/rail-industry-must-think-radically-about-ways-to-cut-its-costs--says-orr Train operators and Network Rail have been challenged to think more radically about how to reduce the industry’s costs and accommodate passenger growth. The request from the Office of Rail Regulation is a clear message to the rail industry that it cannot expect the government to fund all the enhancements set out in Network Rail’s Initial Strategic Business Plan. The enhancement list, which includes the £3.5bn Thameslink project and major redevelopment of London Waterloo a

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Rail News Fri, 13 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT 2328
Quality of Network Rail management will be tested after quick wins dry up https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/2326/quality-of-network-rail-management-will-be-tested-after-quick-wins-dry-up

Network Rail will find it increasingly difficult to continue improving train punctuality, and doing so will test the quality of its management, the rail regulator has warned. In his annual assessment of Network Rail, Office of Rail Regulation chief executive Bill Emery said the company had made “good progress” managing the network in 2005/06 but there were few ‘quick wins‘ left for it to capitalise on. “Network Rail has now consolidated the early gains from ta

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Rail News Fri, 13 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT 2326
but railway risks losing its environmental edge https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/2312/-but-railway-risks-losing-its-environmental-edge The rail industry has been warned that it needs to make new technological advances in order to retain its position as the most environmentally-friendly mode of transport. Losing this competitive edge would result in the government questioning the amount of subsidy that rail receives, said Clive Burrows, the Department for Transport’s railways technical director. “Unfortunately if we stand still we will be overtaken because the way emission standards for cars have come down is real

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Rail News Fri, 13 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT 2312
Winsor warns railway of fresh threat to independent regulation https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/2308/winsor-warns-railway-of-fresh-threat-to-independent-regulation

Former rail regulator Tom Winsor has warned that the rail industry has failed to recognise a new threat posed to independent economic regulation by a new Bill that is close to becoming law. Winsor, who is now a partner at City law firm White & Case, raises the issue in the foreword to the Transport Law Review 2006, which is sponsored by Transit and Bircham Dyson Bell. “It appears that no-one in the private sector railway has noticed the very real threat posed to independent econo

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Rail News Lead Story Fri, 13 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT 2308
Angel Trains sees pre-tax profits up by 28% as investment tops 12bn in five years https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/2095/angel-trains-sees-pre-tax-profits-up-by-28-as-investment-tops-1-2bn-in-five-years ANGEL Trains, the rolling stock leasing company (ROSCO) owned by the Royal?Bank of Scotland, saw pre-tax profits grow by over 28% to £91.2m in the year to  December 31 2005, according to its annual accounts. The company owns a fleet of some 5,000 railway vehicles which it leases to train operators. The business was one of three ROSCOs established in the mid 1990s during the rail privatisation process. As well as the core UK business, Angel now trades in five continental countries

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Business Monitor Fri, 18 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT 2095
Dont destroy my work Winsor cautions Grayling https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/2086/don-t-destroy-my-work-winsor-cautions-grayling

When Conservative shadow transport secretary Chris Grayling announced he would be holding a rail review, one of the first people on the phone to Transit was former rail regulator Tom Winsor. Given that Grayling's criticisms of the rail industry framework implied that Winsor's time in office had not achieved all it should, it was unsurprising that he wanted to set out why he believes Grayling should think again about some aspects of his agenda. However, Winsor is far more sympathetic to the pr

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News Extra Fri, 18 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT 2086
Non-exec joins ORR board of directors https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/2044/non-exec-joins-orr-board-of-directors The Office of Rail Regulation has announced that Richard Goldson is to join its board as a non-executive director. Goldson was previously a senior director at National Express’s rail division and replaces Chris Stokes who has concluded his two year appointment with the ORR board.

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People Fri, 18 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT 2044
ORR demands Great Western punctuality improvement plan https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/2054/orr-demands-great-western-punctuality-improvement-plan The Office of Rail Regulation has demanded that Network Rail produce a new programme to improve punctuality in its Great Western Region. The action was ordered after a detailed two-month investigation into the causes of the region's poor performance. During the investigation, Network Rail argued that the rock bottom punctuality was explained by the large proportion of 30-year rail on its routes, disruption caused by the current programme to renew it and also the condition of First Great Weste

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Rail News Fri, 18 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT 2054
Consultancy to go https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/2085/consultancy-to-go The financial crisis enveloping GNER and its Sea Containers parent is obviously making itself felt throughout the East Coast intercity operator, if the recent experience of one consultant working for the operator is to be believed. At a meeting with middle managers from GNER, the company’s representatives apparently got into a bit of a fluster when the conversation came round to the subject of payment for the consultant’s work. Eventually they summoned up the courage to ask if, in

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In Passing Fri, 18 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT 2085
Winsor offers support to Graylings rail review https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/2036/winsor-offers-support-to-grayling-s-rail-review

Former rail regulator Tom Winsor has offered support to the Conservatives rail review, saying “there are real issues that need to be discussed”. In an interview with Transit, Winsor said he had particular sympathy with shadow transport secretary Chris Grayling’s assessment that the government appeared to be sleepwalking towards a point where it makes no provision for the expected 30% increase in patronage over the next decade.  “What he’s concerned about

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Rail News Fri, 18 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT 2036
Train operators deny peak ticket cartel allegations following referral to ORR https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/2060/train-operators-deny-peak-ticket-cartel-allegations-following-referral-to-orr THE?OFFICE of Rail Regulation is investigating allegations by London TravelWatch that First Capital Connect, Midland Mainline and GNER have acted as a cartel. It follows FCC’s decision in June to introduce new restrictions on cheap day return tickets on its northern routes in order to reduce crowding and increase revenue, and GNER and MML’s decision to follow suit. The passenger watchdog said it supported the principle of joint ticket conditions so that tickets are valid on all o

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Rail News Fri, 18 Aug 2006 00:00:00 GMT 2060
Rail safety has improved safety https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/1937/rail-safety-has-improved-safety Rail industry safety improved against all its major performance indicators last year, the Office of Rail Regulation's annual safety report shows. Highlights included reducing broken rails for the seventh year in a row, down to 318 from 333 in 2004. Signals passed at danger fell from 357 to 339, and  train incidents caused by vandalism fell considerably to 452 from 642. No passengers were killed by train incidents, compared to five in 2004, while there were six staff fatalities - a reduct

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Rail News Fri, 21 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT 1937
GNERs plans for extra Leeds trains boosted as Network Rail finds paths https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/1915/gner-s-plans-for-extra-leeds-trains-boosted-as-network-rail-finds-paths

Network Rail has made significant progress in identifying new paths for additional services on the East Coast Main Line. The work paves the way for GNER to run the six new London-Leeds return services committed to in its franchise agreement, which Network Rail had previously concluded there was no space for. “We have identified 20 new paths on the East Coast Main Line,” Network Rail chief executive John Armitt said. “This demonstrates the enormous will within the rail in

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Rail News Fri, 21 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT 1915
TAS launches updated bus market profiler https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/1821/tas-launches-d-bus-market-profiler PASSENGER TRANSPORT consultancy the TAS Partnership has launched a new version of its Market Profiler software which analyses the likely adult passenger market along individual bus routes by mode choice and other characteristics. Modal split analysis can be carried out for households within 400 metres of any bus corridor, whilst past response rates to marketing initiatives can also be obtained. “Profiler is a most effective tool to allow bus operators to fully understand the characteris

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Bus News Fri, 7 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT 1821