A guest editorial from DARREN CAPLAN, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association
Railtalk
Rail is a vital contributor to the UK, moving both passengers and freight around the country and supporting the economic growth of our cities and regions, spurring significant jobs and investment. Conservatively estimated, the rail supply industry employs over 200,000 people and contributes over £10 billion Gross Value Added (GVA) each year. With rail journeys predicted to double over the next 25 years, we can expect the rail supply industry to grow even more, bringing new challenges with it. We believe at the Railway Industry Association (RIA) that the industry is well prepared to meet the challenges of greater reliability, performance and passenger information, but a significant obstacle stands in its way – a shortfall in funding.
