Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect of the covid-19 pandemic on (a) open access operators and (b) people employed by open access operators.

At present, two open access operators (Grand Central and Hull Trains) have suspended all operations and have indicated that services are unlikely to resume until the current lockdown restrictions are eased. Other Franchise operators continue to provide services to the North East and Humber regions to ensure rail options remain for those making essential journeys.

In late 2020, Grand Central and Hull Trains both made some redundancies, focussed on catering and retail staff. The Government has not been advised of any further impacts to people employed by open access operators.

The Government has made available a comprehensive package of support measures to businesses across the economy; and open access operators have made extensive use of the furlough scheme since it was put in place.

The Government continues to maintain regular on-going communication and dialogue with open access operators throughout the pandemic, and has sought innovative ways to support open access operators. This has included supporting applications for extensions to track access arrangements, agreeing a deferral of payment to the British Transport Police and reaching an agreement with Grand Central to provide some support to Northern services on a commercial basis.

Officials will continue to monitor this situation and engage with all open access operators during the pandemic.