Trains firm needs to raise its game

9:28am Monday 12th May 2008

I DO not believe that C Amos is entirely correct in his letter that blames central government for Northern Trains' failure to invest in refurbishment improvements to its elderly, former British Rail trains.

The company is currently improving a very limited number of the inherited fleet. Where there is a will, there is a way.

Given that it took this overseas franchise holder around three years to show a little pride in the franchise (by erecting its own brand station name boards across the north of England), it tends to indicate a lack of genuine commitment to a franchise that it had at least seven years to do something with.

Serco also runs Bolton Council's leisure centres. The need to secure a good profit margin from the public contracts it runs is also evident from the failure to improve the broken shower facility at my local baths.

I believe local rail commuters have had a belly-full of Northern Trains' lack of progress after three years and, increasingly, backbench MPs will be pressing the Department of Transport to do something about this company.

It deserves a good kick up the buffers and even the removal of its franchise - unless it raises its game.

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Olympic silver medal for Jason