§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many rail services in England and Wales he plans to designate as socially necessary; and if he will make a statement. [10085]
29W
§ Mr. WattsThis is a matter for the Franchising Director. He considers the services to be specified in passenger service requirements on a franchise-by-franchise basis. When setting passenger service requirements he is required by his instructions and guidance from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to consider each service individually, taking account of all surrounding circumstances. Where services are essential but unprofitable to run, the Franchising Director will set the PSR close to or at the level of the British Rail timetable in operation at the time. Where a train is exceptionally lightly used and is not an essential service he may omit it from the PSR where he considers that its inclusion would not provide value for money. He has specified a number of socially necessary but uneconomic services in the PSRs that have so far been finalised.