Trains should be run by a 'Fat Controller' not the Government, says man tasked with reviewing railways
The rail network in Britain needs to be run by a Fat Controller-type figure, the man tasked with reviewing the railways has said...
the Government should take a step back from managing the railways.
He also said simpler fares, easy-to-access compensation and an overhaul of the franchise model were needed after last year's "timetable change chaos".
"The Department for Transport understands that its role must be different - Whitehall needs to step back from the operational minutiae..."
Government should not manage railways, says review
The man tasked with working out how to improve UK railways says a "Fat Controller" type figure, independent from government, should be in charge of day-to-day operations.
The former boss of British Airways, Keith Williams, said government involvement should be limited to overall policy and budget decisions.
But he said the Department for Transport should not manage the system...
The Fat Controller is a fictional character who manages the railways in Thomas the Tank Engine... books...
