Future franchises should not involve management of stations

[py_megapixel]

I think that TOC management of stations should be gradually phased out, with Network Rail taking responsibility for them instead. I can't really see any massive benefits to the passenger from having TOCs operating them, and it becomes confusing when there are multiple TOCs providing services from them (including some cases where the TOC that manages the station provides no services there!)

It also would make it simpler to introduce one unified national design of ticket machine, where the interface can then be perfected to be as user-friendly as possible - unlike now, where different TOCs' machines can be vastly different and confusing to use.

The same goes for customer information systems - not like now, when there are several different systems in use, some of which can't cope properly with certain situations. (There are also cases where, for example, a Network Rail managed station is announcing information about engineering works, but a TOC-managed one on the same route isn't, or vice-versa). This would make information quality more consistent.

Also, there would be scope to implement more national policies, such as whether ticket gates retain tickets or not, standardised signage etc. to make it clearer and less confusing for infrequent users.

Possibly TOCs would retain control over ticket offices, on the basis of renting the space that they are contained in, just like any other business would have to. (Of course, continuing to run ticket offices could be written into franchise agreements so that stations don't lose them).

 

[pdeaves]

It also would make it simpler to introduce one unified national design of ticket machine, where the interface can then be perfected to be as user-friendly as possible - unlike now, where different TOCs' machines can be vastly different and confusing to use.

Well, the machines come from external suppliers and, even today, could be perfected to be as user-friendly as possible. The suppliers presumably have differing opinion of what that means.

or example, a Network Rail managed station is announcing information about engineering works, but a TOC-managed one on the same route isn't, or vice-versa

Would you want the NR station to emulate the TOC one, or vice versa? It appears that NR control currently does not always do what you want the proposed system to do.

 

[Belperpete]

I agree that having several different TOC's ticket machines at one station is a nonsense. Likewise having several different TOC's ticket offices at the same station. It is very annoying having queued at one ticket office to then be told that you have to go and queue at the other office.

I also agree that if you are used to using one particular TOC's ticket machine, it can be quite off-putting trying to use a different TOC's machine with a very different interface.

I can see the argument that where all the services from a particular station are run by the same TOC then that station should be managed by that TOC. But where a station is served by two or more TOCs it becomes much less clear-cut as to why that station should be owned by one or other of them. However, I am not convinced that having it owned by none of them would be an improvement. Having stations owned by NR means that they would be one step further removed from the customers. I think it works with the major stations, because NR must be sensitive to the massive outcry if they get something wrong at these stations. I am not so sure they would be bothered about a few complaints from Little Twittering on the Marsh. At least a TOC has a franchise requirement to consider passenger complaints.

 

[markymark2000]

Network Rail stations normally have no bins so the railways would become a right mess with litter.

That said, I do agree with standardising ticket machines and information.

I think you would find it difficult to get improvements though as a lot of the improvements to stations are meant to be funded by the TOC. If Network Rail ran the stations though, why should a TOC put in the funds to improve it.

 

[Dr Day]

This is an area I see regional transport authorities taking a greater role- ie Transport for North/South east/West Midlands/Wales/Scotland etc. To include booking offices and all other station services including cleaning and dispatching trains.

Always issues at boundaries but should improve integration with other public transport. Let the TOCs and NR focus on operating trains.

Whether we actually need quite so much inter-TOC competition, which creates many of the current complexities around fares and ticketing in the first place is probably better for another thread...

 

[Meerkat]

Superficially I like the idea of transferring ownership (maybe by very long leases) to local government.
They can then develop the stations to suit the communities and their travel policies and get the gains from any increase in use that creates as well as the community benefits.
I like to think we would get much better looking stations as a result as the local authorities would be more concerned with the impression given at the gateway to their towns and cities.
It makes more sense if those local authorities are also the franchise/concession specifiers.

 

[sprunt]

I think you would find it difficult to get improvements though as a lot of the improvements to stations are meant to be funded by the TOC. If Network Rail ran the stations though, why should a TOC put in the funds to improve it.

So that it's more attractive to potential passengers on their services? [A stretch, I know]

 

[tbtc]

Yeah, I'd be fine with that - it'd mean running a franchise would be a lot simpler (so more attractive, given that running a station is a whole different kettle of fish to running trains).

It'd mean station improvements could happen independently of TOC changes, it'd mean that a struggling TOC couldn't chop booking offices (or cut back station maintenance), it'd avoid the complication of different TOCs with different booking offices/ signage/ staff on the platform (so a member of staff could dispatch *any* train that called there).

It would also be a lot more efficient than in some areas where different stations are operated/staffed by different TOCs (and some stations are relatively out on a limb compared to the rest of the TOC).

The only problem I have is that giving it to Local Government (or Network Rail) may bring a whole other set of problems (given how cash strapped most councils are at the moment, do you trust them to fund a station refurbishment when they are struggling to find enough money for other things - I wouldn't be surprised if cut backs were made), but I think this would be a generally positive move, overall.

 

[Meerkat]

The only problem I have is that giving it to Local Government (or Network Rail) may bring a whole other set of problems (given how cash strapped most councils are at the moment, do you trust them to fund a station refurbishment when they are struggling to find enough money for other things - I wouldn't be surprised if cut backs were made), but I think this would be a generally positive move, overall.

That is a risk, but on the other hand the political cost of providing rubbish stations rises.
Now you could send a petition to your MP and he will get a pro-forma response from NR/DfT for you.
If the councils run it you can make councillors fear for their seats.....

 

[markymark2000]

I think that rather than Network Rail, it should be PTAs (Merseytravel have very nice stations). Local councils could be give the problems which TBTC has said.

Merseytravel do quite well at investing in stations even those which Merseyrail doesn't run from. Think stations like Newton Le Willows.

 

[pdeaves]

a member of staff could dispatch *any* train that called there

That generally happens all over anyway (not necessarily everywhere but loads of places).

 

[Indigo Soup]

I think that rather than Network Rail, it should be PTAs (Merseytravel have very nice stations). Local councils could be give the problems which TBTC has said.

Slight issue with that proposal - there's a lot of the country that isn't in a PTA. Trying to create them in a lot of rural areas would just result in the local council running things with extra bureaucracy.
Locally-managed stations have a lot of attractions, though throwing them into the local government funding pot would also throw up problems. The solution to that is to solve local government funding problem, which isn't really a topic for a railway forum.

 

[Meerkat]

Slight issue with that proposal - there's a lot of the country that isn't in a PTA. Trying to create them in a lot of rural areas would just result in the local council running things with extra bureaucracy.
Locally-managed stations have a lot of attractions, though throwing them into the local government funding pot would also throw up problems. The solution to that is to solve local government funding problem, which isn't really a topic for a railway forum.

Councils could take the long leases and delegate operational control to the TOC. I wouldn’t suggest the councils staff and maintain the stations, just that they have the ability to improve them and adapt them to be more relevant to the communities they are elected by.

 

[markymark2000]

Slight issue with that proposal - there's a lot of the country that isn't in a PTA. Trying to create them in a lot of rural areas would just result in the local council running things with extra bureaucracy.
Locally-managed stations have a lot of attractions, though throwing them into the local government funding pot would also throw up problems. The solution to that is to solve local government funding problem, which isn't really a topic for a railway forum.

I would say about 1/2 of England is covered by a PTA. The PTA areas are quite big so I recon a good 40% of stations in England would be covered. Scotrail and TFW I would exclude from this on the basis that they aren't proper franchises.

 

[RealTrains07]

I think that TOC management of stations should be gradually phased out, with Network Rail taking responsibility for them instead. I can't really see any massive benefits to the passenger from having TOCs operating them, and it becomes confusing when there are multiple TOCs providing services from them (including some cases where the TOC that manages the station provides no services there!)

No. I highly doubt most people find it confusing. Majority of people wont take notice of what TOC owns a station as long as they can get the right train on time then all is well with the world.

The only exceptions for this would be stations such Coleshill Parkway and Water Orton. Both operate by WMR but only XC trains stop.

 

[Dan15812]

Personally I fully agree with this idea!
It's silly TOC's managing stations when they all have different budgets. For instance the SWR stations are a right old mess with stagecoach orange splatted everywhere and bright red doors. To be fair SWT left the SW franchise in a total mess for any new operator especially opting for light blue.

If all stations where NR generic then everything would be alot fairer for the rest of the UK in terms of station presentation and consistency.

 

[RealTrains07]

Personally I fully agree with this idea!
It's silly TOC's managing stations when they all have different budgets. For instance the SWR stations are a right old mess with stagecoach orange splatted everywhere and bright red doors. To be fair SWT left the SW franchise in a total mess for any new operator especially opting for light blue.

If all stations where NR generic then everything would be alot fairer for the rest of the UK in terms of station presentation and consistency.

Then again. Network rail operated all of SWTs stations and still does now

SWR chose a good brand which matches the colours network rail and SWT used.

Its not like its a dramatic change is it

 

[Llanigraham]

Councils could take the long leases and delegate operational control to the TOC. I wouldn’t suggest the councils staff and maintain the stations, just that they have the ability to improve them and adapt them to be more relevant to the communities they are elected by.

Where are the Councils going to find the money to do this, considering that their budgets are being cut?
What returns are they going to get from their investment?

 

[Meerkat]

Where are the Councils going to find the money to do this, considering that their budgets are being cut?
What returns are they going to get from their investment?

Councils still find the money to spruce up their town centres, even when they don’t own the businesses that directly gain from more footfall.

 

[Llanigraham]

Sprucing up town centres is not the same as taking on the lease of a railway station!

 

[Meerkat]

Sprucing up town centres is not the same as taking on the lease of a railway station!

Why not? They are only taking on the lease so they can make capital changes, not operating it or maintaining it (well not the operational side anyway).