RAIL TRAVEL


Powerhouse Rail project (HS3), so it didn’t come as too much of a shock when the new transport secretary Grant Shapps announced an independent review of HS2. Shapps said: “The prime minister has been clear


that transport infrastructure has the potential to drive economic growth, redistribute opportunity and support towns and cities across the UK, but that investments must be subject to continuous assessment of their costs and benefits. That’s why we are undertaking this independent and rigorous review of HS2. Douglas Oakervee [the former Crossrail chairman leading the review] and his expert panel will consider all the evidence available, and provide the department with clear advice on the future of the project.” But it may be too late to change tack on HS2. Phase 1 (London-Birmingham) has begun and cancelling that part of the project would be costly. Meanwhile, the House of Commons recently passed a bill for HS2 phase 2a (West Midlands-Crewe). If Johnson’s government survives Brexit, and the Williams Review report is not overshadowed by any associated drama, there may be a real prospect of a new approach to the UK’s railway system.


WHY TAKE THE TRAIN? In the meantime, travel buyers are doing their best to circumvent problems thrown up by some UK train operators, including high fares, which double or triple when purchased at short notice. On this particular


WILLIAMS REVIEW UPDATE


EXPECTED TO PROPOSE a root-and-branch reform of the UK’s fragmented rail system, the Williams Review was launched in September 2018. Some findings are being released in advance of the full report, due this autumn. One recommendation may be to limit


government involvement in the railway, and instead appoint a “Fat Controller” figure to take charge of day-to-day operations. Keith Williams told the BBC he did not


believe the Department for Transport should manage the rail system and government involvement should be limited to overall policy and budget decisions. The “Fat Controller” references a character from children’s books and TV series Thomas the Tank Engine, who manages the fictional railway. The Williams Review is reaching a conclusion against a backdrop of the lowest passenger satisfaction ratings in ten years. Research suggests travellers “do not understand how the rail system works, know who is accountable or… where to turn for support”. Cost and lack of convenience were cited as the disincentives to rail travel.


Crown Commercial Service employees’ domestic business travel by rail


percentage of 78% 114 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 buyingbusinesstravel.com


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