The franchised train operators are currently running reduced timetables agreed with the Department for Transport to cater for essential journeys made by key workers that provide essential public services.
Outside the main population centres, train services are barely being used with only a handful of passengers travelling on many trains, which removes any prospect of commercial operations where the revenue meets operating costs. When measured on a national basis, overall journeys have declined by 95%.
The current services are funded by the Government under the terms of an Emergency Measures Agreement, with revenue paid directly to the DfT and a management fee of 2% being paid back based on the cost base. These contracts will run for a period of six months until the end of September.
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