§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proposals he has for defining overcrowding on trains. [86691]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonIt is not proposed to change the current definition of overcrowding. For services into London and also some commuter services into other large cities, overcrowding is defined in franchise agreements in terms of passengers in excess of capacity. Trains have a nominal capacity (the number of standard class seats for journeys of more than 20 minutes; plus, for journeys of less than 20 minutes, an allowance of 0.55 sq metres of floor space per standing passenger) which should not be exceeded by more than 3 per cent. in the morning and evening peaks combined. This is the general definition of overcrowding. It is broadly comparable with that formerly used by British Rail. The current practice of systematically controlling overcrowding only on commuter services also reflects previous British Rail practice.
§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had recently with(a) the train operating companies, (b) rail users and (c) trade unions on the subject of overcrowded trains. [86692]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe problem of overcrowding on trains was discussed at the National Rail Summit on 25 February which was attended by train operating companies, rail users and trade unions.