During a Ministerial Statement on rail services yesterday (11th
May) after TransPennine Express was brought under government
control due to continuous cancellations, Lib Dem Transport
Spokesperson and MP for Bath, , challenged the Secretary of
State for Transport, , to set a date for
long-promised rail reforms.
During her question to Mr Harper, Hobhouse also highlighted that
other rail companies were struggling with providing timely
services for their passengers. She noted that Great Western
Railway was having problems. Between July and October 2022 the
company saw an increase of 179% in delay compensation claims
compared with the previous year.
The Lib Dem Transport Spokesperson put to the Secretary of State
that the government has consistently promised to fix the system
and enact their proposed public body, Great British Railways, to
oversee rail. Mrs Hobhouse asked when they would get on and
deliver this.
The launch date for the body has been delayed previously and
Harper yesterday refused to set a firm date in his answer to the
question. Instead, he acknowledged that Great Western Railway was
having issues and that he would pass the Bath MP’s concerns onto
Network Rail who he primarily blamed for the problems.
, Liberal Democrat Transport
Spokesperson and MP for Bath, commented:
“It is clear the system is broken. Customers are consistently let
down, with trains being cancelled or delayed, leaving them in the
lurch with nowhere to turn.
“The government has set out a plan to reform the rail system.
They need now to get on and enact it.
“We have already seen too much dither and delay and the Minister
still cannot even give a firm launch date. It is a complete and
utter shambles.
“To add insult to injury, the government this year pushed ahead
with the highest fare hike in a decade. Hard-working commuters
and families deserve better than this mess.”
