§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will summarise the minimum conditions to which cyclists will be entitled in respect of the carriage of bicycles on trains, as a result of the passenger service requirements issues so far. [41255]
§ Mr. Watts[holding answer 3 November 1995]: The franchising director intends to specify requirements in respects of the carriage of bicycles on passenger rail services in the franchise agreements that he makes with franchises. He intends to include in franchise agreements the requirement that franchise operators shall, so far as is reasonably practicable and subject to the availability of appropriate space on their rolling stock, ensure that facilities for the carriage of bicycles on trains are made available at reasonable, if any, charges. There will be no provisions relating to the carriage of bicycles in the passenger service requirements, which are concerned with the protection of an overall level and pattern of service base on the BR timetable in operation immediately prior to franchising.