Network Rail wants subsidy free north south high speed line

摘要

Network rail deputy chief executive Ian Coucher opened the ICE's High-speed Rail in the UK conference last week by revealing for the first time the operator's position on a possible North-South line. While definite plans for a highspeed link failed to materialise, Coucher did begin the process by ruling out certain options. "We must presume that a high speed line will never be built unless there is a robust business case for doing so," said Coucher. "And the starting point should be that this is done without consideration of a public subsidy." In other words, Network Rail believes that any high speed line should be funded by ticket sales alone.