The benefits of open access

THERE is a continuing debate about the benefit of open access services, with a belief in some quarters that the monopolistic nature of most franchised operations is being justified on the grounds of simplicity, with passenger choice not seen as important.

This is in contrast to decisions taken at the time of Privatisation in the 1990s, when policy makers held the opinion that the decline in passenger and freight markets at the time could be reversed if competition was introduced to stimulate new services and reduce fares as a result of lower operating costs.

Freight comparison

This has certainly been evident in the freight market where, after significant cutbacks made