"Paul Corfield" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 05 Oct 2013 20:28:37 +0100, Arthur Figgis
wrote:

On 05/10/2013 15:33, Roland Perry wrote:
In message

, at 09:27:00 on Sat, 5 Oct 2013, Recliner
remarked:
Unlike other rail services in Britain the line is run on a concession
service, rather than under a complex franchise structure. This means
TfL taking some of the financial risk of running the line, giving them
an incentive to make sure it works well.

Unless so failing that they fall into cap-and-collar, why is this any
different to a classic franchise?

Depends how far it goes, but a concession can be about just running the
required trains to meet performance targets (which contractors are good
at), rather than trying to second-guess government transport, fares and
economic policy over a multi-year period (which they aren't good at).

That is precisely the point. By TfL taking revenue risk it removes the
risk that the franchisee has to price into their bid. This frees up
cash to spend on other things.

Revenue is way ahead of budget on the Overground anyway - largely as a
result of burgeoning patronage. I think it will be a tougher task on
the West Anglia lines -

I agree

The orbital routes on the overground are a unique proposition. You can
increase users by encouraging people to use it as a connecting route for
part of a longer journey, instead of the underground.

You can't do that with radial routes. You either want to go to Chingford or
you don't

tim