The train operators, on the other hand, have benefited so much from passenger growth that financial penalties for poor running have become insignificant.
The first is to alter the pricing system that connects the train operators, Railtrack and the rolling-stock companies.
The train operators claim that privatising the rail network as a monopoly has given disproportionate power to Railtrack.
On the eve of Thanksgiving, several days before the World Trade Center line reopened, Mr. Lejda and a colleague walked through the river tube, he said, hanging up speed limit signs in the tunnels, since the train operators would be without the lighted signals that usually signal when and where to slow down.
Railtrack and the train operators are winning back custom from the roads.
Though there was nominally a quality threshold, the successful train operators were those submitting the lowest bids for subsidy.
Supporting complaints that Railtrack was investing insufficiently to justify its current high rates of return, he threatened to cap the fees it charges train operators for the use of its track.
Discussions between the MTA and the departments that represent train operators and track workers are the farthest along, while those for station personnel and bus operators are lagging, according to two transit officials close to the negotiations.
Both Railtrack and the train operators are under great pressure to improve performance.
The train operators, and Railtrack, will have to respond to this crash by stepping up their spending on safety.
Railtrack has overall responsibility for safety, but, as this week's crash showed, the train operators need to improve safety systems too.
Railtrack, for its part, points out that it has improved its punctuality and reliability by 45% over the past four years while that of the train operators has deteriorated.
But Stewart Francis, chairman of the Rail Passengers Council, points out that while the train operators' performance is nearly back at pre-Hatfield levels, Network Rail's is not, and it continues to deteriorate.
ECONOMIST: Railways: Anyone know how to run a railway? | The
The train operators' dependence on government subsidies, rather than on fees paid by customers, have made them less responsive to consumers and led them to give relatively short thrift to service and safety, he said.
This is nearly impossible given the variability of demand (at the mercy of fuel prices and the economy) and the limited control train operators have over costs, which continue to rise steadily.
Railtrack is considering its response to a highly critical report, commissioned by the rail regulator, which accuses the company of lacking firm investment targets and failing to address the concerns of train operators about inadequate capacity.
"We have given HSE the responsibility for approving the safety case for all train operators, " he said.
The State of Victoria, which owns the infrastructure, leases the track and signalling to train operators on long-term leases.
Seat61 and national train operators can guide you through the booking process.
He suggested train operators should consider introducing rules on the use of mobile phones in carriages.
Rail services have been severely disrupted by the weather, with train cancellations by several operators.
Together with train operators, Railtrack has agreed that the focus for the immediate future must be "safety, maintenance and investment".
Train operators are responsible for almost half the delays on the network.
ECONOMIST: Railways: Anyone know how to run a railway? | The
But more train operators are expected to join in the future.
Mr Knight thinks that although it is a relief to have an end date that train operators have to work towards, the important thing is make sure that the regulations are watertight.
The Association of Train Operating Companies said trains were worst affected in London and the South East, where most operators are running reduced services.
The current financial performance regime which penalises train operators and Railtrack and pits them against one another would be scrapped.
Replacement buses are being provided by train operators and train tickets are being accepted on the Metrolink.
BBC: Salford rail delays after train derailed and caught fire
Train operators Wales and West say services are unaffected by the accident.
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