Re: GSR-Keswick

[Tony Albert <root@DELETESPAMaalbert.demon.co.uk>]

In article <mauried.418.34AAD598@commslab.gov.au>, Maurie Daly
<URL:mailto:mauried@commslab.gov.au> wrote:

> Do the franchisees have to pay any ongoing charges to BR or anyone else
for the priveledge of running their trains.

Background:

Railtrack - a publicly owned company quoted on the Stock Exchange - owns all
the track, signalling and stations that were BR property in the old days.
Railtrack control trains (signalling) and are responsible for the national
rail timetable.

OPRAF = The arm of government that lets out franchises, will run them should
they default, and negotiates changes to franchises and ensures franchises
perform to contract.

Current situation:

All 26 franchises pay Railtrack access charges. The greater proportion of
the charges are fixed and running extra trains is not that expensive. Where
electric traction is involved, franchisee pays Railtrack for the
electricity. One or two franchisees have negotiated a profit sharing
arrangement with Railtrack - notable Virgin. Most franchises do not have the
right to operate trains anywhere and, generally, there is no competition
between franchises. 

The franchises negotiated with OPRAF vary from 7 to 15 years, the longer
ones have a committment to run new trains. Generally each franchisee
receives an annual subsidy from OPRAF at the beginning. Some franchises
(particularly the ones that were let late on in the process) will be paying
OPRAF for the privilege of running trains in the later years of franchise. 

Freight operators are charged by Railtrack. EWS (= Wisconsin Central) which
has 90% of the market have negotiated a deal that enables them to run trains
on a flexible basis so that they can give a price quickly. 

I can not give any figures but email me know if you would like any further
info. Watch the spam trap!

-- 
Tony Albert
Holebroc Doomsday Book 1086