MPs: Rail franchising should be delegated to independent body Rail franchising used to be handled by the Strategic Rail Authority, a quango abolished in 2005. It was also previously managed by the smaller Office of Passenger Rail Franchising, better known as Opraf. Ms Ellman added: "A new arms-length franchising body could employ staff with the appropriate specialist and commercial skills required to let and manage effective franchise contracts." The recommendation is likely to cause divisions within the rail industry, with some train operators calling for the DfT to remain in control in order to get rail franchise competitions back on track as soon as possible. Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin suspended all other contract competitions until the outcome of a review into rail franchising by Eurostar chairman Richard Brown. Mr Brown submitted his report to the DfT before the end of December and his findings are expected to be made public within weeks. However some senior rail figures back a return to the Opraf model. "It had a very different remit and had pretty good people," said one industry source. Mr McLoughlin, who will appear before the Transport Select Committee on Monday, is due to announce the creation of a new directorate within the DfT to oversee rail franchising under Clare Moriarty, previously the department's corporate director general.