Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron has called on the Government to
undertake a major review of train franchises. Tim’s
intervention follows his successful bid to secure support for West
Coast Railways to step in and run the Lakes Line between Oxenholme
and Windermere after current operator Northern Rail cancelled all
trains for a period of four weeks. Speaking in the House of
Commons, Tim said that after years of neglect from Northern Rail,
it was in the interest of passengers for...Request free trial
Liberal Democrat MP has called on the Government to
undertake a major review of train franchises.
Tim’s intervention follows his successful bid to secure support for
West Coast Railways to step in and run the Lakes Line between
Oxenholme and Windermere after current operator Northern Rail
cancelled all trains for a period of four weeks.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Tim said that after years of
neglect from Northern Rail, it was in the interest of passengers
for the large rail franchises such as Northern to be separated into
smaller parts.
In response, the Transport Secretary, said he ruled nothing out when
it comes to the future structure of rail franchises.
Speaking afterwards, Tim said:
“This week’s success in getting trains back running on the Lakes
Line has been a victory for the can-do over the can’t-do. By
working together as a community, we’ve shamed the Department for
Transport and Northern Rail by making something happen that they
could not.
“Rail franchises have become too big and as a result do nothing to
serve communities away from major population centres. It is high
time that passengers were serviced by a local provider that
actually wants to run trains on a train line.”
