The Strategic Rail Authority has begun formal consultation on its proposal to combine rail franchises that share major London stations.

The SRA believes that reducing the number of franchises at some of these stations would make better use of existing capacity, improve punctuality, reduce complication for passengers and improve business efficiency.

Forum Response: Transport for London

Ian Brown, managing director of Transport for London's rail services directorate, told ePolitix.com: "The SRA's proposals are very much in line with TfL's policy which advocates a reduction in the number of train operators in London in order to deliver an integrated passenger transport network for the capital.

"Our recent submissions to the transport select committee and the GLA transport operations scrutiny committee highlighted the problems presented by having nineteen franchised train operators serving London.

"However, rationalising passenger train operators to deliver better utilisation of capacity and to provide a more integrated approach on services and fares is only one side of the equation.

"We need to consider the impact of growth of rail freight and the pressing need to invest in projects which deliver more capacity, both on existing lines and for new routes such as Crossrail. We are already working closely with the SRA on proposals for new lines, but the proposals for rationalising operators, welcome as they are, must not be regarded as a substitute for modernising