THE group which represents the interests of UK train companies, Atoc, has slated the Government’s handling of rail franchises.

Four months after Transport Secretary Lord Adonis chose York to launch the Government’s takeover of The East Coast Mainline from National Express, Atoc has written to the Department for Transport (DfT) accusing it of taking “backward steps”.

Plans for franchises of up to 22 years and tougher penalties for companies that walk away from contracts were among measures outlined by Lord Adonis in January. But Atoc said: “The Government’s proposals for franchise reform look positive on the surface, but in reality they offer little that is different from today’s position and represent a backwards step in some areas.

“The DfT shows little sign of reducing its micromanagement of franchises, for example in setting unnecessarily detailed timetable requirements. This hampers train companies in their efforts to respond effectively to what passengers want and adds cost to the system.”