Copy of a letter from the Head of Secretariat,
Office of Passenger Rail Franchising
I am writing to advise you that the Franchising
Director, John O'Brien, has today been given new Objectives, Instructions
and Guidance (OIG) which set out the framework within which he
is to manage and monitor franchises, in a manner which protects
passengers' interests and secures progressive quality improvements.
The new OIG also give the Franchising Director clear objectives
which align with the Government's policies to increase the use
of rail and secure increased investment in the rail industry.
The objectives include the preparation of an annual statement
to the Secretary of State providing an assessment of the type
and level of services the railway network should provide.
Concurrently with issuing the new OIG, the Government
has also approved on an interim basis Planning Criteria for the
appraisal of support for passenger rail services; these substantially
reflect the proposals set out in a consultation paper OPRAF issued
in November 1996.
Copies of both the new OIG and the Planning
Criteria have been placed in the Commons Library and I enclose
copies for your information. [1]
Head of Secretariat
Office of Passenger Rail Franchising
6 November 1997
1 Not printed Back
| 
