334.Section 205 amends existing franchise agreements (under which passenger rail services are provided in Great Britain) so that the GLA and TfL are included in the definition of a local authority in such agreements. This puts the GLA and TfL on the same footing as local authorities elsewhere for making arrangements such as concessionary travel schemes.
335.Section 206 places the Secretary of State under a duty to consult the Mayor if the Secretary of State proposes to vary the amount of penalty fares payable on services on the national railway network.
336.Section 207 provides that TfL must not, without the consent of the Secretary of State, enter into agreements with outside contractors for specified “reserved services”, i.e. station- and train-operating functions, as specified in subsection (7). The Secretary of State may by Order (subject to the negative procedure) make exceptions to the restrictions (subsection (5)).
Commentary on Sections Part Iv: Transport Chapter Vi - Railways Sections 205 to 207: Miscellaneous