Rail White Paper, Autumn 2011

[Kingfisher200262]

Apparently, DfT will publish a White Paper in Autumn 2011. Given that White Papers generally set out Governments' intentions in terms of what it proposes to bring forward as Bills for the introduction / amendment of Primary Legislation, do we have any idea what we might expect to see in this White Paper?

Philip Hammond (initially said Stephen in error) has been quite consistent in stating that he favours "incremental change" as opposed to radical restructuring. This being the case, is there any need for changes that necessitate Primary Legislation (i.e. a new Railways Bill and ultimately a new Railways Act) in our industry?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Apparently, DfT will publish a White Paper in Autumn 2011.

Where did you obtain your information on this?

 

[Kingfisher200262]

Where did you obtain your information on this?

Page 13 in THIS document.

Also, HERE, under "What will be discussed" and briefly mentioned HERE.

 

[merlodlliw]

Welsh Government as its now calling itself, is doing similar as we are all aware.

 

[WatcherZero]

Its going to feature the changes to fare structure proposed in McNulty I believe, graduated peaks, higher offpeak fares, etc.. Possible changes to franchise maps (I expect to see a consultation on Northern/TPE announced), changes to organisational structure (the so called PTE mini tocs and a pilot of parallel integration), possibly fingers crossed a consultation on PTE's taking over station maintence and operation. And anything else the government can think of to dump the costs of rail travel from government to the passenger.

 

[jw]

Stephen Hammond has been quite consistent ...

This isn't the first thread in which you've referred to Stephen Hammond - do you mean Philip Hammond, Secretary of State for Transport?

(Stephen Hammond is also an MP, but I believe his responsibilities lie in the Department for Local Government.)

 

[Kingfisher200262]

This isn't the first thread in which you've referred to Stephen Hammond - do you mean Philip Hammond, Secretary of State for Transport?

(Stephen Hammond is also an MP, but I believe his responsibilities lie in the Department for Local Government.)

Sorry, you're right and of course I mean Philip Hammond. I'd got so used to Stephen Hammond having the rail brief when the Tories were in opposition, it takes some getting used to another Hammond.

 

[tom1649]

Its going to feature the changes to fare structure proposed in McNulty I believe, graduated peaks, higher offpeak fares, etc..

Not everyone who uses the trains can afford higher fares. What a liberty. It's supposed to be a public service for goodness sake, not a cash cow.

 

[WatcherZero]

Supposed to be revenue neutral change, overall fares will remain the same, they will just be cheaper near the end of peak and more expensive early offpeak (so for example the train I catch at 9:29am which is nearly empty but peak would be cheaper but the 9:50-11:00 trains which are all off peak and crammed will be more expensive, and of course the infamous first evening offpeak from London). That doesnt mean we wont be enjoying the RPI +3% the government claims is required for new carriages but doesnt look like ordering any more than were planned under Labour, less if possible.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Page 13 in THIS document.

Also, HERE, under "What will be discussed" and briefly mentioned HERE.

I am thankful to you for your ability to produce documentation that I do not subscribe to. I have been trying to cut down on many of the links that I used in the past....and was caught out by this particular one.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Supposed to be revenue neutral change, overall fares will remain the same, they will just be cheaper near the end of peak and more expensive early offpeak (so for example the train I catch at 9:29am which is nearly empty but peak would be cheaper but the 9:50-11:00 trains which are all off peak and crammed will be more expensive

My wife has seen your posting and can you reassure her that 0935 First TPE service from Manchester Airport to Middlesborough, that she uses once a month to travel to Thirsk for committee meetings will fall into the earlier cheaper offpeak period, based upon what you say about your own particular journey.

 

[northwichcat]

My wife has seen your posting and can you reassure her that 0935 First TPE service from Manchester Airport to Middlesborough, that she uses once a month to travel to Thirsk for committee meetings will fall into the earlier cheaper offpeak period, based upon what you say about your own particular journey.

She might be interested to know the £55.00 Manchester Airport to Middlesbrough ticket doesn't have any time restrictions on it currently despite being called an Off Peak Return, so she could use the 0835 service with it.

Also if she travels on the 09:35 it is cheaper to buy a £3.60 Off Peak Day Return to Manchester CTLZ and a Off Peak Return from Manchester STNS to Middlesbrough costs £48.80 - saving £2.60

(The prices I quoted are the Adult fares not including any railcard discount)
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I misread the post I was replying to yesterday and gave Middlesbrough fares and not Thirsk fares.

However, on checking Thirsk fares it becomes even more interesting, again I've given non-railcard discounted adult fares:

Manchester Airport to Thirsk Off Peak Return (no time restrictions): £51.10

Manchester Airport to Manchester CTLZ Off Peak Day Return (valid from 09:30): £3.60
Manchester STNs to Thirsk Off Peak Day Return (valid from 09:30): £33.80

(No Off Peak Day Return is available for Manchester Airport to Thirsk.)

So she can save up to £16.40 each time by splitting tickets at Manchester.

 

[WatcherZero]

My wife has seen your posting and can you reassure her that 0935 First TPE service from Manchester Airport to Middlesborough, that she uses once a month to travel to Thirsk for committee meetings will fall into the earlier cheaper offpeak period, based upon what you say about your own particular journey.

I cant really, any change would be several years off and it would be impossible to know which services would be affected and where the cutoffs would be at the present time. As she travels once a month on a known date I can say that the cheap advance tickets would still be around.