Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what representations he has received on delays and overcrowding experienced by commuters on the Great Western Railway (GWR) from Bristol to London; what steps his Department plans to take to ensure that GWR improves its service; and what mechanisms his Department has in place to scrutinise the delivery of that service against its contractual obligations.

The Secretary of State receives letters, Parliamentary Questions and Freedom of Information requests from MPs, Peers, stakeholders and passengers about Great Western Railway performance. Great Western Railway has agreed a change to its franchise agreement to include a new obligation to implement a performance improvement plan. The plan includes a wide range of activities across the whole franchise area to improve performance for passengers. Ministers have discussed GWR performance with senior representative from FirstGroup. Officials meet Great Western Railway regularly to discuss progress on the plan.