§ Mr WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what obligations(a) franchisees already appointed and (b) potential franchisees are under (i) to participate in and (ii) to fund, a national rail information system; and if he will make a statement. [11519]
§ Mr. WattsExisting and potential franchisees are already required to participate in a national railway information scheme. All train-operating companies on the 175W domestic passenger railway are members of a contractually binding scheme, administered by the Association of Train Operating Companies, which requires them, among other things, to provide the full range of information contained in the national railway timetable. The scheme ensures the continuation of the existing network of railway telephone enquiry bureaux—TEBs—sets demanding standards for improving their performance, and requires TEBs to provide impartial information to passengers. TEBs are funded by train operators under arrangements specified in the scheme.
British Rail is examining ways of increasing the capacity of the national telephone enquiry bureaux network. It will finalise its recommendations in due course.