The CMA invites responses on 4 options for possible reform:
Option 1 ^ retaining the existing market structure, but with significantly increased open access operations
Option 2 ^ two franchisees for each franchise
Option 3 ^ more overlapping franchises
Option 4 ^ licensing multiple operators, subject to conditions (including public service obligations)
The CMA considers that these options are most likely to deliver benefits on the 3 main intercity routes in Great Britain ^ namely the East and West Coast main lines and the
Great Western route linking London with South West England and South Wales.
This is a project for the long term. The CMA would not envisage these proposals being implemented until 2023 at the earliest, so as to protect the rights of current franchisees and current and imminent franchise tender processes. By that time, there is also a prospect of more capacity becoming available as a result of various factors, including new signalling technology. That time frame would allow policymakers, if they are minded to explore any of these options, sufficient scope to plan implementation.
The CMA invites interested parties to respond to the consultation in writing to
rail@cma.gsi.gov.uk by no later than Friday 16 October 2015. The CMA will undertake further work in light of responses to the consultation before deciding which option to recommend in its final report.
Evidence documents
here.