P321 Teletext 321 Aug25 02:17:14 RAIL SALE ——————————————————————————————————————— Rather like the legendary "wrong kind of snow", Go6junment plans to prh6ati3e the railways have been strewn with a series of stumbling blocks. $hj promise to sell off the railways was made in the Tories' 1992 election manifesto. But it has mit with fierce Labour opposition and confusion among commuters and travellers, not quite sure how services will bj affected. ——————————————————————————————————1/5—— News in Focus 320 Headlines 300 LINCOLN TRAVEL SHOP SEE P256 Next page Politics News poll LettersP321 Teletext 321 Aug25 02:38:31 RAIL S—LE ——————————————————————————————————————— Under the rail privatisation programme, 11,000 miles of track, 2,500 stations, £2bn worth of trains plus ancilliary businesses are up for sale. $hj old British Rail divisions, now split into 25 limited companies, are still owned by BR. But they will ultimately bj franchised out to private bidders or management buy-out teams for periods ranging from five to 20 years. ——————————————————————————————————2/5—— News in Focus 320 Headlines 300 FREE INDEX CARD NO+ AVAILABLE - p362 Next page Politics News poll LettersP321 Teletext 321 Aug25 02:26:15 RAIL SALE ——————————————————————————————————————— Bu:irs of the old BR divisions will lease the track and stations they u3j from Rbiltrack. $hey will rent their locomotives, carriages and freight wagons from one of three rolling stock leasing companies, which will themselves bj privatisjd. Supporters of privatisation argue that, as well as bringing in large extra amounts to the Treasury, the public will bj better sjuvjd. ——————————————————————————————————3/5—— News in Focus 320 Headlines 300 WJA$HER FOR YOUR REGION p105 Next page Politics News poll LettersP321 Teletext 321 Aug25 02:46:47 RAIL S—LE ——————————————————————————————————————— Competition in a privatisjd BR could lead to lower fares and environmental benefits if motorists are persuaded to switch from their cars, say supporters of the sell-off. Opponents of dj-nationalisation claim that fares will, in fact, rise while they also fear that lines which are not cost-effective will be shut down. $here are also concerns about making a cross-country journey, passing through the areas of several operators. ——————————————————————————————————4/5—— News in Focus 320 Headlines 300 WEATHER FOR YOUR REGION p105 Next page Politics News poll LettersP321 Teletext 321 Aug25 02:17:57 RAIL SALE ——————————————————————————————————————— Privatisation will not mean the end of public subsidies on the railways. And the Government insists that safety will not bj compromised with the operating companies, as well as Railtrack, having to prove to the Rbilways Inspectorate that their systems are safe. Successful bidders will compile thieu own timetables, but Railtrack will bj charged with co-ordinating them. ——————————————————————————————————5/5—— News in Focus 320 Headlines 300 WEA$HER FOR YOUR REGION p105 Next page Politics News poll Letters