2007-02-26 03:17:22 · 19 answers · asked by delboy 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Rail
The cause of the crash is now being placed on a faulty set of points, and, potentially worse, faulty maintenance of the points.
Compensation is certainly due for the passengers and train crew. BUT, this will not come from Virgin Rail (owned 51% by Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and 49% by Stagecoach); the compensation will come from Network Rail. Since Network Rail is a state-owned company, compensation will come from the taxpayers (although it ought to come from Blair and his gang!)
Accidents such as Cumbria, Hatfield and Potters Bar will continue to occur so long as there is no vertical integration in the rail industry. (ie. the train operating companies maintain the track themselves). Accidents such as these were RARE in the British Rail days because of the vertical integration at that time.
2007-02-26 08:54:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
What will happen is passengers will get compensation from Virgin Trains.
Virgin Trains (51% owned by Virgin Group/49% owned by Stagecoach) will pay the compensation.
Virgin Trains will claim back off Network Rail as it seems to be their fault.
Network Rail will claim off the Tax Payer and HM Treasury.
Eventully you will be paying out for your own compensation anyway!
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How the Railway System works.
Network Rail owns the tracks and stations (some it does allow operators to run). NR charges the operators (virgin trains for example) to access the track and to stop at the stations.
NR fines any operators who are late.
The Operators claim back money (track access charges) if there any any delays not caused by their own company. I.e. the derailment was not the fault of VT so they will claim the track access charges back for the next month.
They will then also claim back any compensation they have to give to customers, also they will claim back for any buses/coaches which they have to provide.
2007-02-26 11:09:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Just a comment addressed to 'tomo' - you can't blame Mrs Thatcher for rail privatisation. This was entirely the fault of the Major government. She had vetoed rail privatisation as impractical.
Why should Virgin Trains, or even Richard Branson (note the spelling) be held responsible. They had nothing to do with the poor maintenance of the track that caused the crash. If anyone is to blame it is the politicians who dumped this nonsense upon us.
2007-02-26 09:19:13 · answer #3 · answered by david f 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No because it wasnt Virgin Trains fault or Richard Bransons. They will get compensation from network rail as it was their shoddy maintainance that caused the crash.
2007-02-26 10:17:14 · answer #4 · answered by phil 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It depends how badly they were injured...he'd probably be obligated to pay any medical expenses incurred due to the wreck, just like he would if one of his planes crashed, but beyond that I don't really know how much he would be responsible for. If he were smart, he'd probably offer some compensation anyway, like a free round trip ticket to any passenger on board at the time or something to that effect.
2007-02-26 12:27:39 · answer #5 · answered by lazerybyl 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
old beardy is above everything.. makes my blood boil... needs to get his act together the west coast main line is diabolical...
but there again if it's anyones fault the complete mess the railways are in it's thatcher's.. national rail should stay national and never be privatised... putting profit ahead of safety and passenger comfort is a national disgrace.. look at the SNCF in France.. quick safe affordable and comfortable... to think that the tax payer is still proping up private sector rail companies while fat cats reap in the benefits..... oh woo is me!!!!!
2007-02-26 03:19:58 · answer #6 · answered by lion of judah 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The fault was with the points on the track, (Network Rail responsibility), not the train (Virgin).
They ought to sue Network Rail and not Branson.
2007-02-26 04:33:49 · answer #7 · answered by efes_haze 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
The crash had nothing to do with the Virgin train, it was the tracks. They are more likely to get a compo claim from network rail
2007-02-26 03:20:21 · answer #8 · answered by ¸¸.•*´`*♥Emma♥*´`*•.¸¸ 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If and when any compensation is paid out it will be insurance company for the negligent party that will pay out not any individual such as Richard Branson
2007-02-26 19:14:33 · answer #9 · answered by The Fat Controller 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not from him or his company, but from his insurance company. They will then sue Network Rail for causing the accident in the first place.
2007-02-27 07:02:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋