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This only relates to the ownership of the track, it doesn't affect what services run on them.
Virgin Rail still operates in other regions. would expect them to be under a contract with DRFC so can,t see them pulling the plug.
Virgin operate a number of ex-Cross Country non-ECML services through Doncaster.
So why not take all the rail operating companies into state ownership and all the profits could help pay for the NHS? I think I know the answer. I'll get my coat.
Quote from: Cantley Rover on May 16, 2018, 05:36:18 pmSo why not take all the rail operating companies into state ownership and all the profits could help pay for the NHS? I think I know the answer. I'll get my coat. Like Labour was planning.
All of the Rail Infrastructure is owned by Network Rail, the operating services wether Passenger or freight are contracted out but policed by Network Rail and the ORR, if any TOC or FROC is deemed to be failing in its contract then steps are taken to enforce the company’s to comply or in the case of East Coast take the contract from them and state run until a new contract can be bid on. The TOC’s and FROC’s pay rent to Network Rail in order to use the routes, this money then forms the finance for Network Rail to maintain the infrastructure. The fact that the government gives this rent money to the train companies makes the whole thing a farce. The passenger trains are all leased not owned so the price hikes every year are for profit not to create a better railway
Quote from: DearneValleyRover on May 16, 2018, 09:38:57 pmAll of the Rail Infrastructure is owned by Network Rail, the operating services wether Passenger or freight are contracted out but policed by Network Rail and the ORR, if any TOC or FROC is deemed to be failing in its contract then steps are taken to enforce the company’s to comply or in the case of East Coast take the contract from them and state run until a new contract can be bid on. The TOC’s and FROC’s pay rent to Network Rail in order to use the routes, this money then forms the finance for Network Rail to maintain the infrastructure. The fact that the government gives this rent money to the train companies makes the whole thing a farce. The passenger trains are all leased not owned so the price hikes every year are for profit not to create a better railway This is a pretty good summary - although Network Rail is financed primarily by direct grants from government, rather than track access charges from TOCs/FROCs. Also, not all rail franchises receive subsidy from the government. The East Coast franchise is one of these ‘negative subsidy’ franchises where it is assessed to be profitable and require the successful operator of that franchise to pay a premium to the state. What has happened is that successive operators have overbid on that payment and been unable to realise what they promised - money has been made, but not enough to keep paying back the government. At least some part of this is that there are a number of non-franchise services on that route (Grand Central and Hull Trains) that do not have to pay the negative subsidy (only standard track access charges) so have been able to develop a business model that takes passengers away from the East Coast franchise. The net result of all this is that Doncaster to London is probably the best served and most competitive long-distance route in the UK - for which we are lucky. Try getting London to Manchester on anything other than Virgin West Coast!