Abstract: This paper discusses the forthcoming role of British Rail (BR) in its privatisation. BR has already improved efficiency, productivity and quality during the last ten years, and has major investment opportunities ahead. It has devolved power to businesses and profit centres and simplified its structure, thus providing a good platform for privatisation. The Government's privatisation proposals require BR to create new entities, which are to be transferred to the private sector during the next few years. These new businesses must be kept in good condition while they are still in BR, and BR itself will need a new structure during its transition. At the same time, BR aims to improve its overall service to customers and its financial performance, and it will be vital for it to maintain momentum in marketing and investment. The major elements of BR's vast new restructuring are due to be implemented by April 1994. BR's tasks will include: (1) the formation of Railtrack as a separate Government-owned company; (2) the formation of units supplying major support services such as track maintenance; (3) the creation of the first seven franchise units; (4) the creation of privatisable freight companies. BR will increasingly move from a command structure to one based on contractual relationships, with internal and external customers and competitors. For the covering abstract see IRRD 865967.
Publication Year: 1993
Publication Date: 1993-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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