Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Passenger Rail Services

Thursday 26 March 2026 · 7 questions

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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government is bringing passenger rail services into public ownership to improve reliability and experience.
  • Government has frozen regulated rail fares for the first time in 30 years to address affordability.
  • Minister agrees to pass on a request for a meeting to discuss additional and reliable Sunday rail services for tourism.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Bell Ribeiro-Addy Lab Clapham and Brixton Hill
Transport
Context

Rail services have been unreliable, leading to cancellations. The government aims to improve these issues through public ownership of railway services.

Question

What steps she is taking to improve passenger rail services after they were unreliable under the previous Government?

Answer from Keir Mather

To improve unreliable services, this Government are bringing services into public ownership and creating Great British Railways. This generational reform is already improving passengers' experience of rail services, as cancellations are starting to fall after years of decline.

Answered
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Q2 Bell Ribeiro-Addy Lab Clapham and Brixton Hill
Transport
Context

Inter-city rail fares in England are high compared to flying alternatives, making them unaffordable for many people. The Railways Bill promises powers to regulate fares.

Question

Inter-city rail fares remain eye-watering with London to Birmingham costing £72 on the day and other routes similarly expensive. How will 'reasonable' criteria be defined and enforced in the Railways Bill?

Answer from Keir Mather

Operational questions relating to how GBR designates fares will be a matter to consider once it has been created, but passenger affordability is a top priority for the Government. This year, we have frozen regulated rail fares for the first time in 30 years; without this decision, regulated rail fares would have increased by 5.8%.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Details on how 'reasonable' criteria will be defined and enforced

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Q3 Andrew Snowden Con Fylde
Transport
Context

Events in Fylde rely on Sunday rail services which are often cancelled due to lack of staff. The railway is important for economic growth and cultural connection.

Question

Would the Minister be willing to meet me and representatives from Fylde to discuss how we can get extra and more reliable Sunday services to support our important tourism industry?

Answer from Keir Mather

The hon. Member is correct to point out that rail services can serve as a catalyst for economic growth and connect more people to cultural offerings. I will ensure his request for a meeting with the Minister for Rail and representatives from his local council is passed on.

Not addressed: Details about improving Sunday service reliability

How: Passed The Meeting Request Forward

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Q4 Steve Witherden Lab Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr
Transport
Context

Ruabon station progress in Access for All programme but northbound platform is not accessible to everyone. There is a need for ramp installation.

Question

Will the Minister provide an update on progress in delivering a ramp at Ruabon station to make it more accessible?

Answer from Keir Mather

My hon. Friend is right in his ambition for accessibility across our United Kingdom, including Wrexham. I will ensure that the Rail Minister provides him with an update in writing on when the ramp is likely to be delivered.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline or action plan

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Q5 Martin Vickers Con Brigg and Immingham
Transport
Context

The hon. Member is pleading with Ministers for a train service to Grimsby, an open access application from Grand Central Rail exists but LNER's state ownership hasn't resolved the issue.

Question

Will the Minister look sympathetically on the open access application for a service to Grimsby given all our pleading?

Answer from Keir Mather

Although I might not have too much more to add on LNER services, the hon. Member will know that open access decisions are a matter for the operationally independent Office of Rail and Road.

Not addressed: Commitment to look sympathetically at the application

How: Pointing Decision To Another Body

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Q6 Richard Holden Con Basildon and Billericay
Transport
Context

The public is concerned about the clarity of Government's plan for state control of railways. They have doubts about simpler fares, passenger growth targets, and reducing taxpayer subsidy.

Question

Does this lack of a clear plan explain why the Secretary of State has been reduced to claiming credit for work delivered under previous governments?

Answer from Keir Mather

I encourage the shadow Secretary of State actually to read the Railways Bill, which his party has consistently voted against, where the reason for pursuing nationalisation is laid out: better services for passengers and ensuring railways serve public interest not profit, leaving behind privatised system's decades of misery.

Not addressed: The actual lack of a clear plan

How: Challenging Opposition To Read The Bill

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Q7 Richard Holden Con Basildon and Billericay
Transport
Context

A previous statement by Minister regarding operational savings under public ownership is questioned for its accuracy compared to the cost of scaling up DfTO staffing.

Question

Does he agree with his own past statement that nationalised railways save taxpayers up to £110-150 million annually?

Answer from Keir Mather

The shadow Secretary of State talks about value for money but fails to account for the cost of national rail strikes under last Government costing taxpayers £850 million. I ask how that compares with operational savings achieved by nationalised railways.

Not addressed: Confirmation on past statement's accuracy

How: Challenging Opposition To Account For Strike Costs

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