There鈥檚 a lot to like about the proposals from the Labour Party. And there鈥檚 a lot in common with the current government鈥檚 policy, says Professor Paul Plummer.
鈥淭here is common ground about the creation of a guiding mind covering track and train and to enable politicians to get out of the detail. It鈥檚 good news that Labour wants to progress quickly to this new way of working by setting up Great British Railways in shadow mode in advance of legislation. And it鈥檚 hopefully common ground that the GBR needs to empower local teams to do what鈥檚 right for customers and taxpayers.
鈥淭here will be a wider range of views about the role of private sector in operations. But what matters is customer experience and value for money. So it鈥檚 good to hear that the Labour Party does not have a dogmatic or universal position and there is at least a role for private sector freight operators in supporting our climate agenda and support for open access operators as a catalyst for improved focus on customers.
鈥淭he railway needs a long-term plan which is underpinned by a clear technical strategy, consistent investment, innovation, a more diverse workforce and inclusive customer experience. Hopefully whoever is in power will enable long-awaited change.鈥
Industrial Professor of Rail Strategy
Staff profile for Professor Paul Plummer.
