In recent years, we have identified serious failings in the rail system, and the Department must now overcome significant long-standing issues to bring about complex reform. We have previously reported on the problems inherent in the rail system, such as: poor performance and reliability of the network; the lack of accountability and Departmental oversight and the Department’s poor management of franchises. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought additional challenges, not least the collapse in pas...

In recent years, we have identified serious failings in the rail system, and the Department must now overcome significant long-standing issues to bring about complex reform. We have previously reported on the problems inherent in the rail system, such as: poor performance and reliability of the network; the lack of accountability and Departmental oversight and the Department’s poor management of franchises. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought additional challenges, not least the collapse in passenger demand and associated revenues, and significant financial cost to government and the taxpayer. The Department acknowledges that the rail system fa Type: conclusion | Number: 2 | Response status: not_addressed Government response: 2: PAC conclusion: In recent years, we have identified serious failings in the rail system, and the Department must now overcome significant long-standing issues to bring about complex reform. 2: PAC recommendation: By December, the Department should write to the