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Rail update

16 October 2020

Proposing MP
Grant Shapps Con
Welwyn Hatfield
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Department for Transport
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At a Glance

Issue Summary

Grant Shapps is updating the House about a new contract for the CrossCountry rail franchise.

Action Requested

The Government has signed a new three-year contract with Arriva to continue vital train services on the CrossCountry network until October 2023. The agreement focuses on providing stability, certainty, and environmental measures while supporting UK recovery from COVID-19.

Key Facts

  • The CrossCountry rail franchise is the most extensive passenger rail franchise in Great Britain, covering a network stretching from Aberdeen to Penzance.
  • Arriva will continue to operate the service for three more years until October 2023.
  • The contract includes measures to reduce diesel emissions through trials of electrical shore supplies and on-train batteries.
  • The Government pays train companies under Emergency Recovery Measures Agreements (ERMAs) announced in September.
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