Train Companies comment ahead of high speed rail announcement

Ahead of the expected publication of the government’s paper on high speed rail today (Thursday 11th March), Michael Roberts, Chief Executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies, said that passenger rail operators were looking forward to its publication. He said:

“The commitment that all three parties have shown to high speed rail is a vote of confidence in the industry, and will help place train travel at the heart of a successful low carbon economy.

“The plans must be affordable at a time of real constraint in the public finances and must show how high speed rail will be paid for while continuing to invest in the existing network on which passengers make more than a billion journeys a year.

“High speed rail will bring faster journey times and much needed extra capacity, but there are many other priorities to tackle such as improving key commuter networks, electrifying our main lines and investing in new rolling stock.

“To keep the cost down for the taxpayer, we need to make the most of the private sector in delivering and operating high speed.

“The new high speed line must be a commercial success to ensure it can be paid for in the long run. This means focusing on key markets that will bring the biggest benefits in cutting journey times for the greatest number of passengers. London to Birmingham is important but Manchester and Leeds are potentially bigger prizes that could bring bigger economic and environmental benefits.”

Further information on ATOC’s policy on high speed rail can be found here.