Multiple Aspects with Lord Berkeley

DfT should shoulder more blame – not TOCs

THE ongoing debates about train reliability, delays and franchise payments tend to hide the facts; that in the case of the East Coast Main Line franchise, the infrastructure upgrades set out in the invitation to tender, and on which the Virgin/Stagecoach bid was prepared and submitted, have not happened.

So, no upgrades and therefore fewer trains, and less income to pass on to the DfT as premium payments. Since all this was in control of the DfT, there is no point in blaming anyone else.

The surprising thing is, apparently, the timetables prepared by