Ken and Re-nationalisation

[macrodollar]

I've heard vague things that Ken before he booted out was re-nationalising trains in London by the back door, but don't really understand the procedure.
I read that they would still be operated by by private companies but have most of their commercial freedom removed. I've also heard they were to be run by TfL.

Does TfL have more powers than the other PTAs, and was it submitting its own 'bids' for re franchising, effectively renationalisation?

If anyone has a detailed knowledge of what was happening it'd be really helpful

 

[Snapper]

I suspect the confusion is because the LOROL operation is run as a management contract, not a franchise.

This means that TfL specify everything about the operation of the service, and the operator receives a fixed fee for running the contract.

 

[thefab444]

I'm not a Londoner so my comment is pretty worthless, but I kinda miss Red Ken... I mean, Boris is a funny old chap, but certainly not a candidate for mayor!

 

[caughtonatrain]

I'm not a Londoner so my comment is pretty worthless, but I kinda miss Red Ken... I mean, Boris is a funny old chap, but certainly not a candidate for mayor!

I don't think your comment is worthless. As long as London gets special treatment in the way it can specify and manage public transport, then anything its leadership does is fair game for national scrutiny and debate.