§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what further steps he is taking to improve trans-Pennine rail communications. [93599]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonUnder the terms of their franchise agreement Northern Spirit, which operates Trans-Pennine services, are planning to increase services on the route from May 2000 to at least four trains per hour for twelve hours a day Mondays to Saturdays. This commitment is subject to Railtrack approval.
The Shadow Strategic Rail Authority (SSRA) has been established to bring strategic focus to the railways and will be placed on a statutory basis if the Railways Bill attains Royal Assent.
352WThe SSRA will be given the power to penalise train operators financially for poor performance much faster than at present and we have also announced that we are willing to re-negotiate some franchises in return for guarantees of better services for passengers.