The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) welcomes the Government’s support for the RDG contained in the Command Paper ‘Reforming our Railways: Putting the Customer First’, which was published today. The Paper calls on the Rail Delivery Group to provide leadership to the industry and to respond to the Government’s strategic challenges.

The Chairman of the Rail Delivery Group, Tim O’Toole, said

“The Command Paper lays out the Government’s vision for an expanding and efficient railway that meets the needs of passengers, freight users and taxpayers. The Government sees the Rail Delivery Group leading the industry in driving up efficiency and demand for the railway. This is a challenge that we accept.”

Tim O’Toole continued

“The Command Paper calls on the Rail Delivery Group to lead the rail industry in working together to deliver a more efficient, more affordable railway. The Rail Delivery Group is pleased that the Government has recognised that the Group is taking and shaping the industry’s agenda for a sustained programme of improved management and running of the rail network”

The Command Paper lists the six priority areas being addressed by the Group

  Asset, programme and supply chain management;
  Contractual and regulatory reform;
  Technology, innovation and working practices;
  Train utilisation;
  A whole-system approach; and
  Industry planning

Mr O’Toole said

“The Rail Delivery Group was created to unlock efficiencies that will improve Britain’s railways. In its first nine months the Group has identified opportunities for a range of savings, for example in asset management through earlier involvement of the operators in planning work on the network. The RDG has also identified efficiencies in major project implementation by involving operators in the early specification.”

Tim O’Toole concluded

“The Rail Delivery Group shares the Government’s desire for an affordable and efficient railway. In bringing the industry together the Rail Delivery Group will provide the leadership to capture efficiency opportunities and ensure that the railways have earned their licence to grow.’