§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions he has had with(a) Great Western Trains and (b) South Wales and West Railway about improving reliability. [81907]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Secretary of State had general discussions with both these Train Operating Companies at the November 1998 and February 1999 Rail Summits. OPRAF monitors the performance of franchise agreements by Train Operating Companies and agrees remedial action with them as necessary to ensure compliance with contractual obligations. The reliability and punctuality of Train Operating Companies is reported in OPRAF's Quarterly Bulletins, copies of which are in the Library of the House.