The Times Scotland view on rail renationalisation: Changing Trains | Scotland

The franchise system that runs Britain’s privatised rail service has not worked well. The notion of a bidding system for different sections of the network, with each franchise guaranteed only for seven years, has meant a lack of long-term planning, uneven standards and growing passenger complaints about time-keeping and ticket prices. Since the infrastructure –— rail lines, signalling and stations — was centrally controlled by Network Rail, the companies were often blamed for failings that were outside their control.

The worst performances have been largely south of the border, with the UK government having to step in as “operator of last resort,” to renationalise companies. In September the decision to scrap the franchise system was reached. A review conducted by Keith Williams, chairman of Royal