FirstGroup calls for government to 'encourage' open access as it argues against clampdown

21/01/2025

Hull Trains Class 802.

FirstGroup has called on the government encourage open access as it begins to take over train operating companies.

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Comments

John Stuart Porter - 21/01/2025 16:42

First Group and the transport secretary need to recognise the other’s position as shown below. First Group needs to estimate the abstraction from public sector services caused by their open access application. They should regard those financial consequences as the public sector contribution to the open access application. The regulator should regard the rest of the costs incurred as First Group’s contribution and require profits above actual costs to be allocated in proportion to those “contributions”. Open book transparency should also be required.
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- TeeMarkM. - 31/01/2025 13:41
  
  The parties directly involved (surely) know the rules of the game already, of which 'abstraction' is but one. This is FG warning SoS not to even think about giving the (statutorily independent) ORR more prescriptive open access 'guidance'. As it's no secret that FG wants to stay in the rail business after its Nat Rail contracts expire, shareholders need to hear this message from their board.
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