Great Western Coffee Shop

Peter Wilkinson - MD, Passenger Services, DfT @ GWR Stakeholder Conference 17/10/22

 - During the pandemic, there was a real chance that the Government were going to remove rail funding & furlough everyone owing to the cost of running the railway with little or no farebox income

- Rail has changed - absolutely zero chance of returning to the rail world pre-pandemic as journeys have changed forever

- Hybrid Users - busiest day on the network is now *Fridays* - with leisure & some commuters

- Very serious financial problem that is actually still increasing in total costs, with only 78% revenue recovery.

 - Railway is no longer a top priority for Government - and fearing worse to come from Chancellors statemewbnt on October 31st

- However, he's optimistic of a better future - better times will come - no cuts that can't be reversed

- Rail seen by current (& past Governments) as simply a financial asset, rather than as a backbone to the economy, and regrets that.

- There is *no* intention of closing ticket offices & making staff redundant - just to get the staff out from behind a glass screen/office sitting waiting to sell the next ticket. Out on the open available to assist passengers buying a ticket from all & any ticket selling appliance. Changes to ways tickets are retailed. They fully understand that people can struggle with smartphones & other methods will be retained. Modernise way tickets are retailed.

You might weant to use this to start a new thread too?

Excellent and important answer, Chris, and as suggested I have split this off from http://www.passenger.chat/26523