§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish, for each month since its inception, the average time taken by National Rail Inquiries to answer a call; and if he will make a statement. [61509]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonInformation on the average time taken to answer a call is not recorded by the National Rail Enquiry Scheme (NRES). NRES is required by the Rail Regulator to answer 90 per cent. of all calls and to record the percentage of calls answered within 30 seconds. The Rail Regulator monitors performance against both targets but his priority has been to ensure that NRES meets its 90 per cent. target. He is currently considering formal enforcement action following recent disappointing performance by NRES.
§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent assessment he has made of the accuracy of the information provided by National Rail Inquiries in respect of(a) timetable information and (b) price options. [61508]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonFollowing the Rail Regulator's mystery shopping survey into accurate and impartial retailing last year, the Association of Train Operation Companies (ATOC) agreed to carry out further similar surveys. ATOC is currently carrying out surveys into the accuracy of information provided by both the National Rail Enquiry Scheme and station ticket offices. The results are expected to be published early next year.