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DAV007 · 16-01-2014, 02:14

G Jones,
I presume you are the local MP?
My question was not meant as a slur, far from it.

I agree, Labour have played it right to oppose changing east coast from direct operated railways (DOS).
For once Labour is winning the economic argument against the coalition that DOS operating the east cost franchise is making profit for the tax payer while providing a better service than the previous contractor who failed.
Labours support for DOS retaining east coast is also helping to demonstrate to the voters the conservatives are wanting to re-franchise based on nothing more than ideology.

As Network Rail's debt is now officially on the government books (lets not forget it was a Labour policy to keep it off), is there not a strong argument to bring the relationship between Network Rail and DOS closer together?
Is there not an economic argument due to the heavy taxpayers contributions, that better financial value would be achieved to move towards a 'in house' asset management and operation?
There are many benefits which would result from such a move.

16-01-2014, 02:14	#114
DAV007 Senior Member+ Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,877 Liked: 808 times Rep Power: 6046	Re: the railways G Jones, I presume you are the local MP? My question was not meant as a slur, far from it. I agree, Labour have played it right to oppose changing east coast from direct operated railways (DOS). For once Labour is winning the economic argument against the coalition that DOS operating the east cost franchise is making profit for the tax payer while providing a better service than the previous contractor who failed. Labours support for DOS retaining east coast is also helping to demonstrate to the voters the conservatives are wanting to re-franchise based on nothing more than ideology. As Network Rail's debt is now officially on the government books (lets not forget it was a Labour policy to keep it off), is there not a strong argument to bring the relationship between Network Rail and DOS closer together? Is there not an economic argument due to the heavy taxpayers contributions, that better financial value would be achieved to move towards a 'in house' asset management and operation? There are many benefits which would result from such a move. Last edited by DAV007; 16-01-2014 at 02:18.