ATOC responds to the Transport Secretary's statement on the West Coast Mainline franchise

Responding to the Transport Secretary’s statement to the Commons on the Intercity West Coast franchise, a spokesperson for the Association of Train Operating Companies said:
 

“This provides passengers and the rail industry with a way forward for the Intercity West Coast franchise.
 

“It is in everyone’s interests that the Department for Transport (DfT) solves the significant flaws in its overall franchising process as a matter of urgency. There is an opportunity here for the DfT to look again at its approach, particularly on risk and evaluation, and simplify the process while delivering better value for money and improved services.
 

“Franchising private companies to run train services has delivered for passengers, taxpayers and the country, with rail travel more popular now than at any time since the 1920s and near record levels of satisfaction and punctuality. With the right framework in place for franchising, train companies will continue to deliver these results.”