Govt moves to cut red tape in rail sector

Date: 11/11/2011

The government is attempting to reduce bureaucracy in the UK's rail sector by putting almost 200 transport regulations on the Red Tape Challenge website.

Each rule will then be under consultation for four weeks, enabling people to have their say on the matter.

They are able to comment on whether the regulation is important and well designed, or badly implemented and unnecessary.

Rail Minister Theresa Villiers said the aim of the scheme is to deliver better transport networks and encourage businesses to compete and create jobs.

"We are already working on delivering less prescriptive rail franchises and taking forward reforms to help the rail industry to reduce costs," she added.

One of the regulations people are being asked to comment on is the National Rail Conditions of Carriage, which are the conditions passengers must follow when travelling by train.

At the end of last month, Ms Villiers announced that the West Coast Main Line is to benefit from upgrades including extra carriages and seats as it is one of the country's busiest routes.

Posted by Mary Treen