Privatised Rail Network?

[crosbysleftear]

http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,1971200,00.html

If I am reading that right the government gives money to the train operators who then pay the money to Network Rail which is part of the Government. Is that right?

If I am right whats the point? It's just a job creation scheme for accountants really isn't it?

 

[Beach Hut]

http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,1971200,00.html

If I am reading that right the government gives money to the train operators who then pay the money to Network Rail which is part of the Government. Is that right?

If I am right whats the point? It's just a job creation scheme for accountants really isn't it?

Just about correct but eventually towards the end of the franchise the train operator has to pay the government back a large sum on an annual basis.

At this point it normally goes tits up and they hand the keys back as the sums and projected business plan were wrong - exhibit no. 1 GNER (NB considerably earlier than the point of handing money back).

It is likely the majority of new Rail Franchises may well be like this and if you are a tax payer you will support this stupid situation.

 

[British Bulldog]

Lets not forget the large amount of money network Rail have to pay back to the TOC's for train delay penalties!

Privatisation was the worse thing to happen to the railway and it's just made the system harder for commuters and rail workers alike. It comes to something when you get rail companies arguing the toss over who has to pay who for something like a suicide, depending on how it happens depends on who picks up the bill.

CRAZY!!!!!!

 

[Beach Hut]

Not withstanding the huge salaries the private railways pay

 

[British Bulldog]

Not withstanding the huge salaries the private railways pay

Yeah I wish!

 

[Beach Hut]

Yeah I wish!

I was very lucky and have never been complacent

 

[Tesco in Disguise]

welcome to free-market capitalism.

you asked for it.

 

[British Bulldog]

I was very lucky and have never been complacent

I'm just stuck with it for another 20 years until I retire unless God smiles on me and they pay me off!