Network Rails and TOCs agree new alliances

Network Rail is preparing to form a ‘deep alliance’ with South West Trains to establish a single, senior joint management team to operate both train and track on the Wessex route out of London Waterloo. The approach is being discussed with the DfT, the Office of Rail Regulation, employees and other operators, and could become the precursor to full vertical integration on the route.

In addition, Network Rail has formed or is about to form six joint working alliances with Abellio Greater Anglia, c2c,

ScotRail, Northern Rail and Southeastern, which are designed to deliver cost savings, quicker decision making and passenger benefits without binding train and track operator together in a single entity as in the South West Trains structure.

Projects that these six alliances may consider include examining how stations can be managed to provide a better service to passengers, how engineering work can be better planned and how improvements to train punctuality can be delivered.

The alliance structures were a key recommendation in last year’s McNulty review of the rail  industry.

Discuss the impact of the new Network Rail 'Alliance' at the 11th annual Rail Stations Conference on the 22nd February