HC Deb 06 February 1996 vol 271 c154W
Sir Graham Bright

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guaranteed level of service will be required on the London to Luton inter-city route after privatisation; what is the current level of service; and what assessment he has made of the level of service which will be provided after privatisation. [13627]

Mr. Watts

Services between London and Luton are predominantly provided by Thameslink, rather than the inter-city service, which is provided by Midland main line. Accordingly, it will be the passenger service requirement for Thameslink which will safeguard the level of service. That PSR has yet to be set. The PSR for Midland main line leaves the level of services to the commercial judgment of the franchisee.

At present on weekdays, Thameslink operates 136 trains per day between London and Luton and 133 trains per day between Luton and London, Midland main line operates 16 trains per day between London and Luton and 15 between Luton and London.

The level of service above the PSR to be provided after privatisation will be a matter for the franchise operator. In evaluating bids for franchises the franchising director is required to take account of bidders' commitments to providing service levels beyond those specified in the PSR. Franchisees for the first three franchises have committed themselves to provide service levels over and above the PSR and the Government expect bidders for other franchises to offer similar commitments.