§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary' of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to alter targets for train operating companies in future franchise negotiations with the Strategic Rail Authority relating to(a) punctuality, (b) levels of overcrowding, (c) numbers of standing passengers, and (d) age of rolling stock. [4797]
§ Mr. JamiesonWhere the Strategic Rail Authority have negotiated replacement franchises an ultimate target of 15 out of 16 trains arriving punctually has been set. The existing method of monitoring overcrowding through the passengers in excess of capacity mechanism has been maintained. There are no target dates for the age of rolling 505W stock, but the Government have made regulations requiring that slam-door Mark 1 stock must be removed from the network by the end of 2004.
Our draft franchising policy statement issued on 16 July asks the Strategic Rail Authority to take a fresh look at what can be achieved within existing franchises to drive up safety, punctuality and comfort across all franchised services.