HC Deb 24 March 1999 vol 328 cc250-1W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the generic quality improvements he plans to require to be introduced to existing rail franchises when the opportunity for renegotiation of franchises occurs. [78262]

Dr. Reid

At the National Rail Summit last month, we announced that all requests for franchise renegotiations will be judged against the following six criteria: the train operator's current performance; proposed accelerated or new investment; a willingness to commit to a more demanding enforcement regime and higher quality standards; a willingness to give passengers a greater say in the level and standard of services; and value for the taxpayer.

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