Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to introduce legislative proposals to (a) create Great British railways and (b) progress contractual reforms for train operators.

We are working closely with the Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT) and the sector and will progress legislation when parliamentary time allows.  Many reforms and tangible benefits for rail users can be delivered ahead of legislation, including workforce reform, continuing the rollout of Pay-As-You-Go ticketing, simplifying fares, building local partnerships as well as the publication of the first draft of the Long-Term Strategy for Rail.

New Passenger Service Contracts will balance the right performance incentives with simple, commercially driven targets that ensure a central role for the private sector in delivering for passengers. We will consult with the market to develop and design the detail of the new contracts, before launching competitions in due course.