§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the compliance of South West Trains with its franchise agreement; what734W penalties it is subject to for non-compliance with its franchise agreement; and what liabilities it has incurred to date. [16914]
§ Mr. WattsCompliance with franchise agreements is a matter for the franchising director. He has a range of options open to him to ensure that franchisees observe the terms of their agreements with him. In the case of South West Trains, the franchisee will be penalised financially for peak period cancellations he has made following the introduction of revised working arrangements for drivers. South West Trains has introduced a temporary timetable to minimise disruption to passengers, especially peak period services. Penalties are of the order of £600 per peak period cancellation.