Mode Shift Revenue Support Scheme: administrative changes

The Department for Transport (DfT) is seeking views on 2 proposed administrative changes to the Mode Shift Revenue Support (MSRS) Scheme. The changes involve:

• increasing the assumed wagon utilisation rates for port-related intermodal rail freight in the MSRS scheme
• offering MSRS applicants (for all types of flow) the choice between:
  • a contract for up to 12 months
  • a longer contract with no early exit penalties, period negotiable but not beyond March 2020, with an automatic reduction in grant rates after 12 months of 10% and a further 5% (to total 15%) after 24 months

These changes would be made to the MSRS scheme in England but they could also impact on rates for cross border freight flows.

For further information on the MSRS and Waterborne Freight Grant Schemes and application deadlines the latest supplementary guidance has also been published.