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Manifesto for Rail

15 February 2024

Rail Partners has launched its ‘Manifesto for Rail’ setting out a five point plan for politicians to create a thriving railway that works for customers and taxpayers.

The document sets out a ‘best of both worlds’ approach to reform which gives private train operating companies the ability to respond to passenger and freight customer needs, while ensuring a single point of public accountability for the railway’s performance.

The five point plan calls on the next government to:

Focus the railway on the customer to balance the books

Let operators compete to connect communities

Overhaul fares to offer customers the best value for their journey

Prioritise getting freight off roads and onto rail

Create a new body to oversee the railways

The five point plan is underpinned by research in Rail Partners’ Track to Growth report, which shows how competition between train companies, both here and in Europe contributes to growing passenger numbers, improved services and lower cost to the taxpayer.

Download the manifesto for more detail on how the next government can ensure a growing railway that works for passengers, freight customers and taxpayers.

More publications

Working together for a better railway: A new public-private partnership
Working together for a better railway: A new public-private partnership
A Fork in the Tracks: Attracting customers back to the railway
A Fork in the Tracks: Attracting customers back to the railway
Passenger Service Contracts: A spectrum of contracts for different markets
Passenger Service Contracts: A spectrum of contracts for different markets