The Privatisation of Britain’s Railways: An Inside View

The authors present a survey of the privatisation of the rail industry in Britain in the context of national rail policy over recent decades. They draw attention to the inherent problems of the British rail privatisation, including the need for continuing subsidy. They focus attention on the revised management structure of the industry, and how this may affect performance, and also on the franchising system, and whether this will give incentives for competition. They conclude that difficult choices still remain to be made.