Today is certainly a day to go down in the history books for rail transport in Britain, the cradle of the railroad. Other than being the 21st Night of September, the British Government and the Department of Transportation (DfT) has announced the end of rail franchising in the nation as they will take over all of Britain's passenger railroads. This is the first time the government has taken back rail operations since privatization and franchising began in 1994. There has been a call for the British government to take over control of the railroads for the past few years due to unreliable service provided by the franchises, so hopefully this historic decision will help Britain's passenger service in the long run. The full article from Railway Gazette can be found below.
https://www.railwaygazette.com/uk/uk-go ... 96.article
https://www.railwaygazette.com/uk/uk-go ... 96.article
UK:·The government has announced the end of rail franchising, with Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps saying ‘the model of privatisation adopted 25 years ago has seen significant rises in passenger numbers, but this pandemic has proven that it is no longer working.
A ‘simpler and more effective structure’, is to ‘take shape’ over the coming months, although few details were announced.
‘Our new deal for rail demands more for passengers. It will simplify people’s journeys, ending the uncertainty and confusion about whether you are using the right ticket or the right train company’, Shapps said on September 21. ‘It will keep the best elements of the private sector, including competition and investment, that have helped to drive growth - but deliver strategic direction, leadership and accountability.’
"Look down, step over, and watch the gap!" - Dr. John Clarke, The Gap Rap (2010)
