Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department is taking steps to ensure Southeastern is required to consult passengers on possible timetable changes in May 2023.

Southeastern’s contract with the Department requires it to carry out formal consultation when considering material changes to its timetable. Southeastern is not considering material changes to its timetable in May 2023 and therefore is not required to conduct a formal consultation. However, Southeastern is considering making some key targeted changes, including adding additional services in the peaks, to better match fluctuating demand and in doing so will continue to take passenger and stakeholder feedback onboard.