Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to help improve the accessibility of railways for passengers.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
We are committed to ensuring all passengers can use public transport confidently. Since 2006, the Access for All programme has provided step free accessible routes at over 200 stations, with smaller-scale enhancements, such as accessible toilets, at more than 1500 stations. We are currently assessing nominations for the next round of Access for All funding and hope to be in a position to announce successful nominations later this year. We have also provided £75m to Network Rail to install tactile paving on all remaining railway station platforms by 2025 to improve the accessibility of public transport for people with sight loss.
Asked by: Stephen Morgan (Labour - Portsmouth South)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of passenger demand for train services across (a) England, (b) Wales, and (c) Scotland.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Annual statistics on passenger rail usage at national and region level are published by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). These include journeys within and between England, Scotland, and Wales. The latest statistical release provides estimates for April 2021 to March 2022: Regional rail usage (orr.gov.uk)
Asked by: Grahame Morris (Labour - Easington)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Government issued guidance to Train Operating Companies to commence consulting on ticket offices.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Government has asked train operators to reduce the cost of the industry to the taxpayer given the dire financial situation facing the railways; as well as ensuring staff are deployed where they are most needed by passengers. As a result, operators have considered potential reforms, including at stations and in July 2023 commenced consultations using the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement (TSA) process, which train operating companies must follow when proposing changes to the opening hours or closure of a ticket office. The proposals are industry led and this is a real opportunity to update and improve the way train operators deliver for customers. We expect train operators to continue to work collaboratively with the passenger bodies to refine their proposals
Asked by: Matthew Offord (Conservative - Hendon)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department is seeking to negotiate reforms to the rail network as part of its pay negotiations with train drivers' unions.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
As the Department is not the employer, negotiations are between the industry and the trade unions.
The Rail Delivery Group, on behalf of the train operators, has presented a fair and reasonable offer to the rail trade unions including ASLEF, which included urgent reform to ensure our railways are financially and operationally sustainable for the benefit of passengers, rail workers and the taxpayer as well as delivering a pay rise.
Asked by: Grahame Morris (Labour - Easington)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the train operating companies sought the agreement of his Department on the proposed number of (a) ticket office closures and (b) hours stations would be staffed before beginning its consultation on these matters.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Through the industry-led Ticketing and Settlement Agreement (TSA) process when a train operating company proposes to make a change to the opening hours, or closure of a ticket office, they must follow the rules set out in the TSA.
The Secretary of State and his Department did not approve any of the respective proposals before the companies commenced consultation. Government has asked train operators to reduce the cost of the industry to the taxpayer given the dire financial situation facing the railways; as well as ensure staff are deployed where they are most needed by passengers. These are industry proposals. This is a real opportunity to update and improve the way train operators deliver for customers. The DfT issued mandates to TOCS on station reform earlier in 2023 We expect train operators to work collaboratively with the passenger bodies in the coming weeks, to listen to the concerns raised and to refine their proposals accordingly.
Whilst it is my expectation that no currently staffed station should be unstaffed as a result of industry changes, it is for train operators to decide on their staffing arrangements at each of the stations from which they operate services, so they can best meet the needs of passengers.
Asked by: Grahame Morris (Labour - Easington)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the train operating companies sought the agreement of his Department before beginning the consultation on ticket office closures.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Through the industry-led Ticketing and Settlement Agreement (TSA) process when a train operating company proposes to make a change to the opening hours, or closure of a ticket office, they must follow the rules set out in the TSA. The Secretary of State and his Department did not approve any of the respective proposals before the companies commenced consultation. Government has asked train operators to reduce the cost of the industry to the taxpayer given the dire financial situation facing the railways; as well as ensure staff are deployed where they are most needed by passengers. These are industry proposals. This is a real opportunity to update and improve the way train operators deliver for customers. The DfT issued mandates to TOCS on station reform earlier in 2023.
We expect train operators to work collaboratively with the passenger bodies in the coming weeks, to listen to the concerns raised and to refine their proposals accordingly.
Whilst it is my expectation that no currently staffed station should be unstaffed as a result of industry changes, it is for train operators to decide on their staffing arrangements at each of the stations from which they operate services, so they can best meet the needs of passengers.
Asked by: Grahame Morris (Labour - Easington)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department approved train company proposals for ticket office closures before consultations began.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Through the industry-led Ticketing and Settlement Agreement (TSA) process when a train operating company proposes to make a change to the opening hours, or closure of a ticket office, they must follow the rules set out in the TSA. The Secretary of State and his Department did not approve any of the respective proposals before the companies commenced consultation. Government has asked train operators to reduce the cost of the industry to the taxpayer given the dire financial situation facing the railways; as well as ensure staff are deployed where they are most needed by passengers. These are industry proposals. This is a real opportunity to update and improve the way train operators deliver for customers. The DfT issued mandates to TOCS on station reform earlier in 2023.
We expect train operators to work collaboratively with the passenger bodies in the coming weeks, to listen to the concerns raised and to refine their proposals accordingly.
Whilst it is my expectation that no currently staffed station should be unstaffed as a result of industry changes, it is for train operators to decide on their staffing arrangements at each of the stations from which they operate services, so they can best meet the needs of passengers.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential effect of (a) station staff and (b) on-board guards on the levels of passenger confidence for (i) all passengers and (b) vulnerable passengers.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The UK’s rail network is one of the safest in Europe and we will never compromise the safety of passengers on our railways. As the industry takes forward vital reforms, safety remains a top priority for all.
When proposing major changes to ticket office opening hours, including closures, train operators are required to take into account the adequacy of the proposed alternatives in relation to the needs of all passengers; and to include this in the notice of the proposal sent to other operators and passenger groups. We would also expect operators to consider other equality related needs and make this clear in the notice sent to other operators and passenger groups.
Together with the industry, we want to improve and modernise the passenger experience by moving staff out from ticket offices to provide more help and advice in customer focused roles. No currently staffed station will be unstaffed as a result of industry changes, and train operators will ensure staff are well located to meet passenger needs in future.
Asked by: Feryal Clark (Labour - Enfield North)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of closing train station ticket offices in Enfield North constituency on the (a) safety and (b) accessibility of passenger rail travel in (i) Enfield North constituency, (ii) the London Borough of Enfield and (iii) London.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The UK’s rail network is one of the safest in Europe and we will never compromise the safety of passengers on our railways. As the industry takes forward vital reforms, safety remains a top priority for all.
When proposing major changes to ticket office opening hours, including closures, operators are required to take into account the adequacy of the proposed alternatives in relation to the needs of all passengers; and to include this in the notice of the proposal sent to other operators and passenger groups. We would also expect operators to consider other equality related needs and make this clear in the notice sent to other operators and passenger groups.
Together with industry, we want to improve and modernise the passenger experience by moving staff out from ticket offices to provide more help and advice in customer focused roles. Following the consultations, the independent passenger bodies will play a vital role in assessing and shaping proposals.
Asked by: Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Labour - Slough)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 17 July 2023 to Question 193249 on Railways: Tickets, whether the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement permits companies which operate train services to co-ordinate and align their individual company policies and practices with each other (a) in the provision of their services to passengers and (b) on changes to those services.
Answered by Huw Merriman - Minister of State (Department for Transport)
In parallel to the public consultation, a train operator consultation also takes place as set out in the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement. During this consultation period, all train operators can see the proposals of others and are able to raise any questions or concerns.
When making a station proposal, a train operator should consider the impact they will have on other operators utilising the station.