(Secretary of State for
Transport): I wish to inform the House that the
Department for Transport has completed its analysis of the events
surrounding this year’s May timetable introduction on the GTR
network. In line with Professor Stephen Glaister’s interim
report, it has concluded that the disruption on this network was
caused by a series of mistakes and complex issues across the rail
industry.
I can announce today that the Government is holding GTR to
account for their role in the unacceptable performance following
the introduction of the May timetable. GTR will make no profit
from its franchise in this financial year and looking ahead, we
have also capped the amount of profit that the operator is able
to make for the remainder of its franchise, which is due to
expire in September 2021.
Furthermore, GTR will be contributing £15m towards tangible
improvements for passengers. This is in addition to the £15m the
operator has already contributed towards compensation for
passengers since the May timetable disruption. GTR has agreed to
work with the rail user groups representing passengers of
Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern, who will determine what
improvements this package will fund.
The Department has concluded that a termination of the franchise
would cause further and undue disruption for passengers and is
not an appropriate course of action.
Performance after the May timetable change was unacceptable. This
action announced today holds GTR to account appropriately and
will benefit passengers. The Department will continue to monitor
closely the performance of GTR, particularly during the upcoming
December timetable change. These measures do not make GTR immune
from further sanctions in the event of any subsequent failure to
perform.
