ATOC comments on ORR Report on engineering overruns
28th February 2008
ATOC
Commenting on the today’s report published by the Office of Rail Regulation, George Muir, Director General of the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) said:
“This is a good and thorough report highlighting issues which we are sure Network Rail will take very seriously.
“The bottom line is that we are relying on Network Rail to use the opportunity for across the board improvements in the way things are delivered (reflecting points made in Chapter 3). There is more at stake than big possessions; there are small possessions, projects of all kinds, and train punctuality to consider. We must respond to the entire challenge of running a high quality, intensive, passenger-centred railway.
“Though this is a good report, it is an after-the-event investigation of something which has already gone wrong. The ORR needs to initiate forward looking monitoring to anticipate problems and prompt early action to put them right.
“We must find a way for the fine to be converted into a package of passenger benefits. Network Rail has said they will try to initiate such a package. We are only in the consultation phase on the fine and it is not too late for a change to be made.”
For further information, please contact: ATOC Press Office on 020 7841 8020
Notes to Editors
About ATOC
The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) is the official voice for the passenger rail industry - representing train companies to the government and other opinion formers on transport policy issues. Britain's train operators are working together to change rail travel for the better.
ATOC manages many joint activities for train operators including revenue allocation and settlement, impartial retailing, National Rail Enquiries, Railcard marketing, staff travel arrangements, international products and travel agent licensing.
“This is a good and thorough report highlighting issues which we are sure Network Rail will take very seriously.
“The bottom line is that we are relying on Network Rail to use the opportunity for across the board improvements in the way things are delivered (reflecting points made in Chapter 3). There is more at stake than big possessions; there are small possessions, projects of all kinds, and train punctuality to consider. We must respond to the entire challenge of running a high quality, intensive, passenger-centred railway.
“Though this is a good report, it is an after-the-event investigation of something which has already gone wrong. The ORR needs to initiate forward looking monitoring to anticipate problems and prompt early action to put them right.
“We must find a way for the fine to be converted into a package of passenger benefits. Network Rail has said they will try to initiate such a package. We are only in the consultation phase on the fine and it is not too late for a change to be made.”
For further information, please contact: ATOC Press Office on 020 7841 8020
Notes to Editors
About ATOC
The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) is the official voice for the passenger rail industry - representing train companies to the government and other opinion formers on transport policy issues. Britain's train operators are working together to change rail travel for the better.
ATOC manages many joint activities for train operators including revenue allocation and settlement, impartial retailing, National Rail Enquiries, Railcard marketing, staff travel arrangements, international products and travel agent licensing.
