Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what provisions there are in the (a) TransPennine and (b) Northern franchise to encourage (i) the operation of trains on Boxing Day and (ii) equalisation of fares across county boundaries; and if he will make a statement.

The Northern franchise requires them to consult with passengers, user groups, Network Rail, other train operators, and other relevant stakeholders on the potential demand for passenger services on Boxing Day. . Once this is done they must prepare and submit a report to the Secretary of State which sets out their proposals for operating Boxing Day services. As part of this process Northern must provide a minimum of 60services to operate on Boxing Day 2018.

The TPE franchise requires them to carry out a similar consultation and report process.

At the direction of the Secretary of State the Franchisee shall undertake the consultation required in conjunction with the Northern Franchisee.

There are obligations within both franchise agreements aimed at harmonising fares across the network to resolve inequalities across County boundaries.