Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rail Franchising System: Viability

Thursday 12 March 2020 · 1 question

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Kim Johnson questioned the viability of the rail franchising system, citing high dividends and safety cuts.
  • The Minister responded that safety is regulated independently and that privatisation has led to a doubling of passenger journeys.
  • The Minister noted that Northern Rail's fleet is being replaced with new trains, set to be completed by the end of May.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kim Johnson Lab Bolton South East
Transport
Context

A review led by Keith Williams is ongoing, tasked with assessing the current system and recommending changes.

Question

Passengers in my constituency and across northern England welcomed the decision to bring Northern Rail into public ownership following the collapse of Arriva Rail North. In the past decade, over £178 million was paid in dividends while safety staff were cut. Research shows that a publicly owned railway would save £1 billion yearly for an 18% rail fare reduction.

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris (Minister of State for Transport)

The hon. Lady's point about safety is incorrect as it is regulated by an independent body. Since privatisation, passenger journeys have more than doubled with better services and trains. Northern Rail's fleet is being replaced with new trains to be completed by the end of May.

Answered
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