The second is that no prospective franchisers will come forward.
Franchisers are committed to improving services for passengers.
Prospective franchisers will be frightened off by the need to invest both in rolling stock and in the infrastructure.
Franchisers have come forward with impressive plans for investing in new rolling stock.
Franchise schemes in which franchisees acquire the right to use a trade name or design owned by franchisers are also trading schemes.
When the franchise is let, the new franchiser will be locked into a contractual commitment to meet all the terms of the franchise agreement, including that to replace rolling stock.
We are seeing passenger franchisers who are keener than ever to attract people on to the railway and to operate more and new services in order to attract more people.
Does he further agree that the franchising director should not let that acquisition go ahead until there has been proper consultation and proper equity among the franchisers?
