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Rail has a major role to play in improving the accessibility of cities, where road congestion and its effects on commuters, businesses and local residents has become one of the biggest challenges for Government and local authorities. In London some 70% of commuters travel by rail, which is the same in similar areas of the Netherlands, still we know that we cannot be complacent about the car, which remains rail’s main competitor. For this reason it is vital to ensure that the industry structures for delivering rail services encourage optimum use and plans for growth to meet demand.
Experience
The UK has more experience than any other European country in the liberalisation of rail services, and the current structure offers examples of best practice which others could follow. The Netherlands also has experience in liberalisation, but has taken a more gradual approach to the process which has seen the emergence of some different structures and procedures for the delivery of rail services.
Exchange of best practice
From our unique position as a train operator both in the UK and the Netherlands, NedRailways actively contributes to shaping the industry structure by sharing and encouraging the exchange of best practice between both countries. NedRailways is determined to continue this exchange programme in order to contribute to decisions on the overall structure of the industry and ensure that equal weight is given to the objectives of Government, infrastructure providers and operators. We see this balance as vital to the delivery of safe and reliable services which also offer value for money for the taxpayer.
The priority for rail companies in the UK, the Netherlands and across Europe must be to meet the needs and expectations of our customer, the passenger.
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