Research and Reports

Rail Reform: A Guiding Mind

APPRG has called for greater clarity of thinking on the relationship between any central ‘controlling mind’ (as proposed by the Rail Review’s independent chairman Keith Williams) and devolved transport bodies. The group also proposes that future government rail policy incorporates the needs of passengers, freight customers, operators and government, in its Rail Reform: A Guiding Mind report published in early November. It adds that the roles of local and central government as policy makers should continue, as should the Office of Rail and Road’s for safety and economic regulation. Different models of passenger service delivery should also be explored - for example, moving the East Coast Main Line to an open access auction model or adopting a Switzerland-style ‘clockface’ timetabling approach.