Date/Time
Date(s) - January 25 2022
All Day
Location
This event will take place online.
This conference will examine key priorities for reforming the rail system in the UK, including the operation of its infrastructure and the delivery of services, in light of wide-ranging changes expected to rail governance and the evolving needs and behaviours of rail users.
It will be a timely opportunity to analyse key components of the significant reform put forward in the Williams Rail Review, such as the formal end to the rail franchising system and the creation of a new body, Great British Railways (GBR), to govern the rail system. Proposals from the Government for implementing the Review are expected later this year.
Delegates will discuss the practicalities and potential impact of implementation, as well as what will be needed to meet the main policy aims successfully, including:
- the scope of change needed to centralise strategic oversight and keep reform on track
- simplifying the network and ticket purchasing process
- further measures for catering to changing customer needs and preferences
- replacing the franchising model with Passenger Service Contracts
- increasing accountability and reducing overlap and mismanagement across stakeholders
We also expect discussion on:
- infrastructure modernisation – the way forward and challenges for delivery
- overcoming challenges for cross-region connections, including in rural areas
- strategies for attracting passengers back on to the network
Attendees
Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders. Places have been reserved by officials from the Competition and Markets Authority; Defra; the Department for Transport; the Government Legal Department; the Office of Rail and Road; Transport for Wales; Transport Scotland; and the Welsh Government. Also due to attend are representatives from AmcoGiffen; Burges Salmon; Cambridgeshire County Council; Dalmore Capital; Grant Thornton UK; High Speed 1; RMT Union; Scottish Accessible Transport Alliance; Shoosmiths; Sitec Infrastructure Services; Sopra Steria; Trainline; and TSSA.
Overall, we expect speakers and attendees to be a senior and informed group including Members of both Houses of Parliament, senior government officials from DfT, ORR and others involved in this area of public policy, together with a broad range of stakeholders including representatives from train operating companies, owning groups, freight operating companies, investment and legal professionals, transport and environmental consultancies, passenger groups, rolling stock manufacturers, engineering companies, Combined Mayoral Authorities, local authorities, academics and commentators, as well as reporters from the national and specialist media.
This is a full-scale conference taking place online***
- full, four-hour programme including comfort breaks – you’ll also get a full recording and transcript to refer back to
- information-rich discussion involving key policymakers and stakeholders
- conference materials provided in advance, including speaker biographies
- speakers presenting via webcam, accompanied by slides if they wish, using the Cisco WebEx professional online conference platform (easy for delegates – we’ll provide full details)
- opportunities for live delegate questions and comments with all speakers
- a recording of the addresses, all slides cleared by speakers, and further materials are made available to all delegates afterwards as a permanent record of the proceedings
- delegates are able to add their own written comments and articles following the conference, to be distributed to all attendees and more widely
- networking too – there will be opportunities for delegates to e-meet and interact – we’ll tell you how!
Full information and guidance on how to take part will be sent to delegates before the conference
For more information and to book your place, visit here.
