October 2020
Price: £95 PLUS VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***
This conference focuses on the future shape of rail services across the UK.
It will be an opportunity for key stakeholders and policymakers to consider how the Government should take forward the expected conclusions from The Williams Rail Review, which are due later this year.
The discussion at a glance:
- The Williams Rail Review:
- the franchising model - looking at its future, and of control of mainline and local rail networks
- funding - the long-term model for financing the railways, and for subsidies and returns for rail operators
- consumer services - delivery of improvements
- the ticketing system - options for reform, such as:
- simplification of fares and tickets
- introducing flexible ticketing and part time season passes
- addressing overcharging and the differentials between off-peak and peak prices
- the COVID-19 pandemic:
- the impact - on rail business, services and operations - and on staff safety and wellbeing
- what can be learned - from the challenges that have been faced and the way the sector has adapted
- the outlook going forward - what will be needed from policymakers, and the industry itself, to support the sector, its partners and customers as the crisis subsides and into the future
A scan of relevant background and policy developments:
- The ongoing Williams Rail Review - and a White Paper expected for publication later this year
- Government renationalising several rail franchises following poor performance
- The COVID-19 health emergency, with:
- the drastic reduction in passenger numbers on UK public transport
- Rail emergency measures during the COVID-19 pandemic - government offering franchise train operators Emergency Measures Agreements
- Holding Network Rail to account during the coronavirus pandemic - the ORR monitoring performance of train and track operators on service performance, delivery, and transport accessibility
- funding - Budget 2020 and commitment to investment in rail projects across the UK as part of a £640bn package of public infrastructure investment
- Putting passengers first - Network Rail’s CP6 delivery plan with priorities for project delivery and improving passenger services
- Decarbonising transport: setting the challenge - DfT’s policy document as it develops the transport decarbonisation plan
- The Restoring Your Railways Fund, with the DfT seeking proposals from MPs, councils and community groups for restoring rail routes, and building and reopening stations across England and Wales
The discussion in detail:
Designing a user-first model
- passenger experience and safety - options for improvement including:
- more effective delay and repay schemes
- a simplified and accessible compensation framework
- incorporating the passenger voice at the centre of system reform
- ticketing - the future of reform and ensuring prices reflect value for money and services, as well as facilitate growing consumer preference for flexible journeys
- reliability - increasing service frequency, incentivising operators, and strengthening accountability of rail franchises for poor performance
Resuming services
- tackling the challenges of the COVID-19 health emergency
- social distancing - strategies for integrating measures whilst minimising the impact on passenger journeys, capacity, and financial sustainability of operations
- health and wellbeing - ensuring protection for passengers, staff, and train operators at all times
- public engagement - communicating the delivery of safe and secure rail services for passengers, and encouraging commuters to return to the rail network
The levelling up policy agenda
- the role of rail in helping to tackle economic inequalities in UK regions - and how this fits within the national programme of regional devolution, looking at:
- rail infrastructure modernisation - priorities for investment in enhancing regional connectivity and the capacity of rolling stock
- regional economic growth - how to realise the opportunities presented by increasing the frequency of regional services and city connectivity
- connectivity - priorities for the review announced by the Prime Minister, which will assess approaches to improving links between the four nations
- regional funding - examining schemes focusing on addressing connectivity issues across England, including £10m for re-designing Manchester’s railways
Modernisation
- the Government’s ambition to upgrade the UK’s rail infrastructure
- design of a long-term pipeline - and delivering projects to relieve congestion, expand the electrification of rail, improve efficiency, and enhance passenger numbers
- engagement with rail industry stakeholders - including domestic supply chains and rail freight - to improve the flow of trade, efficiency of project delivery, and the volume of low-carbon commerce
Innovation
- priorities for improving operations and the passenger experience
- technology - for improving signalling, reporting failures, and delivering passenger journey information
- utilising data - enhancing smart ticketing, reducing system and consumer costs, and helping to decarbonise rail operations
- the role of SMEs - and the impact of SBRI: the Small Business Research Initiative
The agenda:
- Priorities for reforming the UK rail system and recommendations from the Williams Rail Review - new commercial models, improving financial sustainability, and delivering value for passengers
- Designing a user-first service and improving the passenger experience:
- Progress on delay and repay and enhancing consumer protection - industry accountability, improving operator services, and setting guidance for safe journeys post COVID
- Performance, reliability, and the future of commercial train services - enhancing frequency, connectivity between cities, and the expansion of modern rolling stock
- Latest thinking on nationalising UK rail operations and restoring efficient services
- COVID-19 disruption, resuming rail services, and addressing safety challenges - controlling limited capacity, designing social distancing, and protecting the health of passengers, staff and operators
- Developing a rail network fit for modern infrastructure, industry and passenger requirements:
- Delivering new rail infrastructure in the UK and unlocking capacity - relieving congestion, enhancing regional connectivity, and enabling new rolling stock on the tracks
- Expanding the business case of rail freight on the UK network - minimising commerce delays, decarbonising trade, and supporting industry and logistics
- Latest thinking on track and train arrangements and improving financial sustainability
- Planning for long-term network operation - building up domestic supply chains, and rail electrification for efficiency and low-carbon journeys
- Creating a digital railway for passengers and the network - data, improving signalling, and cost reduction
- A more integrated railway - the role of ORR
Policy officials attending:
Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders.
This one looks no different. Places have been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from both Houses of Parliament, and officials from the Office of Rail and Road; the Department for Transport; BEIS; MHCLG; Transport for Wales; Transport Scotland; Defra; the Department for International Trade; the Government Legal Department; the National Audit Office; and the Welsh Government.
This is a full-scale conference taking place online***
- full, four-hour programme including comfort breaks - you’ll also get a full recording to refer back to
- information-rich discussion involving key policymakers and stakeholders
- conference materials provided in advance, including speaker biographies
- speakers presenting via webcam, accompanied by slides if they wish, using the Cisco WebEx professional online conference platform (easy for delegates - we’ll provide full details)
- opportunities for live delegate questions and comments with all speakers
- a recording of the addresses, all slides cleared by speakers, and further materials, is made available to all delegates afterwards as a permanent record of the proceedings
- delegates are able to add their own written comments and articles following the conference, to be distributed to all attendees and more widely
- networking too - there will be opportunities for delegates to e-meet and interact - we’ll tell you how!
Full information and guidance on how to take part will be sent to delegates before the conference
