Recommendation 2

In recent years, we have identified serious failings in the rail system, and the Department must now overcome significant long-standing issues to bring about complex reform. We have previously reported on the problems inherent in the rail system, such as: poor performance and reliability of the network; the lack of accountability and Departmental oversight and the Department’s poor management of franchises. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought additional challenges, not least the collapse in passenger demand and associated revenues, and significant financial cost to government and the taxpayer. The Department acknowledges that the rail system faces a complex and deep-rooted set of issues and that collaboration between all bodies in the system will be required to make changes across the sector. The COVID-19 pandemic has added to the urgency of these reforms. The publication of the much-delayed Rail white paper is the Department’s first step towards much needed reform. Such a large, “once-in-a-generation” reform programme carries significant risks. The implementation and execution of reform will be a complex task relying on multiple actors and organisations. The Department needs to guard against over-optimism in relation to its capacity and ability to deliver this change. 6 Overview of the English rail system Recommendation: By December, the Department should write to the Committee setting out clear roles and responsibilities between bodies in the rail system for the delivery of reforms, and a timetable for implementing the system-wide reforms proposed in the Rail white paper.