Another one of my ideas for Railways...

[higthomas]

Well, yes, but...

1) there’s around 23,000 ‘slots’ per weekday, and another 30,000 or so on a normal weekend. That’s the hell of an administration exercise, both in terms of tendering and letting the ‘slots’ and post contract management of performance. For economy of scale it’s probably best to package them up into sizeable chunks. Oh look, a franchise!

2) having premium / subsidy identified for each individual ‘slot’ would have, I fear, rather unfortunate consequences for many services after 8pm, and on some lines altogether.

1) Well yes!
2) I think that seems a rather stupid thing (although probably true) We all know such services lose money hand over fist.

 

[Bald Rick]

2) I think that seems a rather stupid thing (although probably true) We all know such services lose money hand over fist.

But only a few people know how much individual services / branches really cost. And if it became public, I could forsee some difficult discussions, given the state of most public services.

 

[randyrippley]

OP's idea can only result in increased fragmentation of stock distribution, resulting in more microfleets, decentralised servicing and inevitable cost increases. Each operator on the route is going to want "their stock" with "their staff" operating from "their maintenance depot" painted in "their colours" with bespoke branding, uniforms, vehicle fit..........
Cost increases would be horrendous. In short, the idea is daft just based on that, let alone the logistical nightmare involved

 

[Mutant Lemming]

This looks like it will worsen conditions for most drivers and bring them into line with the second rate conditions their colleagues on freight have. It would probably lead to the first national rail strike in decades.

 

[deltic]

But only a few people know how much individual services / branches really cost. And if it became public, I could forsee some difficult discussions, given the state of most public services.

One of the failures of privatisation has been the continuation of secrecy about exactly what the tax payer is getting for the substantial contribution it makes to the rail industry. Continuing to hide it because they might not like the answer is what we rightly call out politicians for on a regular basis.

 

[deltic]

This looks like it will worsen conditions for most drivers and bring them into line with the second rate conditions their colleagues on freight have. It would probably lead to the first national rail strike in decades.

On the contrary, it is likely to lead to further increases in pay as smaller operators will be less likely to be able to train drivers and more likely to poach them from larger operators just as we have seen to date unless we see some innovation in driver training

 

[richieb1971]

This idea is one step too close to re nationalisation. Until our nation becomes train proud our railways will be ran as cash cows