18 The Department's approach to rail franchising produces generally well thought through service specifications and generates keen bidding competition. This approach has resulted in better value for money for the taxpayer on the eight franchises let since the Department took over from the SRA. The Department has been able to gain a commitment to some improvements in quality, reliability, accessibility, security and capacity at the same time as negotiating a sharp fall in subsidy. The combined contracted subsidy of 811 million in 2006-07 should turn into a payment to the Department of 326 million by 2011-12. The Department does, however, bear up to 80 per cent of shortfalls from contracted target revenues after four years and the bids assume continued high passenger growth. Slower growth would lead to subsidies falling by less than projected. Although there will be some service improvements passengers overall will pay more. Crowding will increase for many commuters until expected investment delivers more carrying capacity.