| Archived Save the Train forum articles - 2005 to 2010. See below
An Opportunity To Fund An Improved TransWilts Service? - 7959/12873 Written by Lee on Saturday, 7th February 2009 A very interesting Dft Press Release on Thursday (links below.) http://nds.coi.gov.uk/environment/fullDetail.asp?ReleaseID=391964&NewsAreaID=2&NavigatedFromDepartment=False http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/strategyfinance/revisedpolicyfunding http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/statements/railservices Basically, the idea is this: [quote]Many local authorities have found it difficult to take forward improved services because of the potentially high running costs involved. Under this new approach, after a successful trial period, local authorities could ask the DfT to consider supporting the services through a franchise agreement.[/quote] [quote]To benefit from the new arrangements, the new or enhanced service would have to have been run successfully for the first three years and show good value for money. The Government could then decide to take on long term financial responsibility for these successful services, easing the burden on local authorities and ensuring the continued operation of a service which is benefiting passengers. Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon said: "This new approach could bring real benefits for passengers by encouraging local authorities and train companies to work together to introduce new or improved services. "The availability of funding should provide the encouragement local authorities are looking for if they believe there's a sound case based on passenger demand for improving a service or bringing in a new one. " To take advantage of the new scheme local authorities must first identify the best way of meeting a local transport need. If a train service offers the best solution and has support from the rail industry, the local authority must then show that the rail scheme has a business case, secure the necessary start-up capital funding, (through sources such as the Regional Funding Allocation), and commit to funding the service for at least three years. If successful the new service could then be included within a franchise agreement, guaranteeing its future operation. Services which have proved successful could get funding from April 2014, from a budget set in 2012.[/quote] There are some drawbacks. There are no guarantees of DfT funding after the 3-year trial period ends, schemes must show a BCR in excess of 1.5 before they even begin, and the DfT appear to be encouraging promoters to look at service reductions elsewhere as a means of funding: [quote]The enhancement package (including any service reductions proposed to fund it) must demonstrate a business case (BCR in excess of 1.5) before implementation. The promoter agrees to fund any additional subsidy requirements arising from the provision of the new service for a period of three years (and remains on risk for a DfT decision not to support the scheme) OR identifies decrements elsewhere or new revenue sources (which would need to be agreed with DfT) on the local/regional network (including fares increases above RPI+1%) which would contribute to a reduced overall subsidy requirement. Should continuing the service demonstrate a BCR in excess of 1.5, subject to affordability within the set budget, DfT would consider taking on the responsibility of funding its continuation after year 3 alongside other services within a franchise, OR if funding is not available, invite the region to identify decrements to enable the service to continue. Should continuing the service demonstrate a BCR of between 1.0 and 1.5, DfT and the promoter would negotiate but with no presumption of Government funding. Should the BCR be less than 1.0, DfT would not provide any funding.[/quote] Also, it may not be an immediate solution: [quote]DfT would not propose to take any financial responsibility until the start of CP5 (April 2014), hence services which start before April 2011 would need to be funded wholly by the promoter for a period of more than 3 years.[/quote] That said, if the overall approach were to be implemented in good faith, then it could well provide a way forward for resolving issues such as the TransWilts. Here is a related article link. http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/4105697.Ministers_give_new_hope_for_rail_lines/ Re: An Opportunity To Fund An Improved TransWilts Service? - 7959/12875 Written by admin (Graham Ellis) on Friday, 13th February 2009 That's an excellent "long stop" as I read it - giving shorter term innovative expenditure a chance, taking away some of the risk of it becoming a perpetual drain. Have I read that right? Re: An Opportunity To Fund An Improved TransWilts Service? - 7959/12876 Written by Lee on Friday, 13th February 2009 As I said, if the overall approach were to be implemented in good faith, then it could well provide a way forward. What we really need now is for the DfT, FGW and WCC to agree a service funding plan for the period 2009-2014, in order to fully take advantage of this. Re: An Opportunity To Fund An Improved TransWilts Service? - 7959/12990 Written by Lee on Friday, 24th April 2009 [quote author=Lee link=topic=7959.msg12873#msg12873 date=1233999229]There are some drawbacks. There are no guarantees of DfT funding after the 3-year trial period ends, schemes must show a BCR in excess of 1.5 before they even begin, and the DfT appear to be encouraging promoters to look at service reductions elsewhere as a means of funding: [quote]The enhancement package (including any service reductions proposed to fund it) must demonstrate a business case (BCR in excess of 1.5) before implementation. The promoter agrees to fund any additional subsidy requirements arising from the provision of the new service for a period of three years (and remains on risk for a DfT decision not to support the scheme) OR identifies decrements elsewhere or new revenue sources (which would need to be agreed with DfT) on the local/regional network (including fares increases above RPI+1%) which would contribute to a reduced overall subsidy requirement.[/quote][/quote] Here is a recent example of how this could work in practice (link below.) http://www.transportbriefing.co.uk/story.php?id=5820 [quote="Transport Briefing"]Under amendments to the National Rail franchising system announced in 2008, TfL has powers to ask the DfT for a reduction - or 'decrement' - in National Rail services in London. Any money saved can be reallocated to other transport services within the capital. In this case, TfL asked for proposals to introduce a Victoria-Bellingham train service to be abandoned, releasing link to index of articles |
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Save the Train was the campaign to bring an approriate train service back to and through Melksham. Most big contributors are still around writing at the Coffee shop forum where new members are very welcome. The train has been saved - sort of - we have stepped back up from an unusable service to a poorish one but it's doing very well. We did that through setting up the TransWilts Community Rail Partnership. That fulfilled its early objectives; it has been taken over by local and regional government types who are now doing medium and long term work. The team from this forun can also be found at the Melksham Rail User Group (which was the Melksham Rail Development Group at the time these articles were written and we had no users. We mustn't loose sight, though, that the train service remains poor and needs our community support in marketing and campaigning to keep it going in a positive direction ... and all the more so when we're expecting to find a different normallity once we get out of the Coronavirus Pandemic and head for zero carbon via the climate crisis. Yes, it's saved ... it's now a key community facility ... the need for enhancement and the strong and near-universal local support remain, and the rail industry and goverment remain slow to move and provide the enhancements even to level us up with other towns. Please support the Melksham Rail User Group - now very much in partnership rather than protest with the rail industry and local government, including GWR, TransWilts and unitary and town councils. And please use the trains and buses, and cycle and walk when you can. -- Graham Ellis, (webmaster), February 2021 | |||
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