§ Lord Greavesasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it is their policy that the passenger train operations should be consolidated into a smaller number of regional and operational franchises; and, if so, whether they believe that the trans-Pennine express franchise would be better combined with the main franchise for local services in the North of England. [HL2030]
§ Lord Falconer of ThorotonConsolidation of franchises may provide benefits in particular cases from operational efficiency and value for money but may also entail risks in other cases from loss of competition and management focus. My right honourable friend has yet to receive final proposals for a trans-Pennine express franchise from the Strategic Rail Authority but provisionally takes the view that in this case the benefits, which include stronger management focus on a distinctive set of routes and services, outweigh the potential drawbacks.