Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the use of auctions to award rail franchises; and whether they intend to use the same process to award future franchises.

The Williams Rail Review is looking at the current franchising system and considering how it can best support the public and private sector to work together, while delivering benefits for passengers, freight and taxpayers.

The Department will publish a White Paper on the review’s recommendations, with the implementation of reforms planned to start from 2020. Whilst the Review is underway, we will continue to work closely with the industry to ensure that rail delivers the day-to-day performance and transformational improvements that passengers expect.