Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to enable private train operators to increase revenues to help reduce the cost of the railway to the taxpayer.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the rail industry faces a more challenging financial position. The Department has developed and implemented an annual business planning process for all train operators which ensures the industry delivers for passengers while also improving financial performance and driving revenue growth in order to reduce the cost of the railway for taxpayers.