Merger could save £20m

摘要

A report for Transport for Greater Manchester is understood to be suggesting that savings of more than £20m a year could be delivered by merging the Northern Rail and TransPennine Express franchises when they end in 2016 and bringing the new business under the control of local authorities in the north of England. Over 30 local authorities are working together to create an outline business case for taking charge of the new franchise, and early reports suggest that the draft business case includes savings of £20m a year 'while creating better services and more transparency over how fares are spent'. A report by Manchester City Council Chief Executive Sir Howard Bernstein on the draft business case was presented last week. It is believed to suggest that ministers have been 'supportive' of the principal of devolution (RB1442 p4), which would 'unlock the rail system's fullest potential' by allowing local councils to spend existing rail budgets more wisely while taking into account the needs of the region's economy. A more transparent system of setting fares would enable passengers to see how the income is being reinvested, it is felt.