Rail regulations facing abolition are ‘not red tape’, say campaigners

Passenger groups and opposition MPs are alarmed at the possible consequences of the scrapping of hundreds of railway regulations under the Government’s ‘Red Tape Challenge’. Even the National Rail Conditions of Carriage could be scrapped or watered down and made voluntary, and operators could get more discretion over penalty fare regulations. On the Red Tape Challenge website, operated by the Cabinet Office, there is a specific reference to the NRCoC, saying: “Although they are not regulations, the National Rail Conditions of Carriage have also been included in the Challenge. This is the contract between the train operator and the passenger which sets out the conditions which are attached to travel when you buy a train ticket.” It adds: “A new draft version…is being consulted on both within the industry and as part of the red tape challenge.” Shadow transport secretary Maria Eagle told the Daily Telegraph: “If ministers think that national standards for rail services are red tape then they are totally out of touch with passengers.” Passenger Focus and London TravelWatch raised concerns, the Campaign for Better Transport said the Government seemed to be working against passenger interests and that the rules protecting passengers were “not red tape”, and the RMT union called the plans a “kick in the teeth for the exploited passengers”. There is now a four week consultation period on the plans to scrap the 200 rules and regulations, and a presumption that they will go unless keeping them can be justified. Have your say at: www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk