§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to require railway operators to comply with specific passenger loading maxima. [1784]
§ Mr. WattsThe franchising director will specify load factors or seating capacity requirements in the passenger service requirements where this is necessary to avoid overcrowding on commuter services. The franchising director will set rigorous standards which will regulate the level of crowding on London commuter services below the average experienced in the last 10 years. Where neither load factor regulation nor capacity requirements apply, franchise operators will be required to use all reasonable endeavours to avoid excessive overcrowding on the services they provide.