§ Mr. TruswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to ensure(a) Arriva in West Yorkshire and (b) other train operating companies recruit and retain sufficient drivers to fulfil their timetable commitments. [12533]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) expects all train operators to recruit sufficient staff, including drivers, to run a reliable train service and meet their timetable commitments.
The SRA has in place performance regimes under which train operators are penalised if they fail to meet certain standards. The SRA can also issue enforcement orders and penalties against operators for continuing poor performance, as it proposes with Arriva Trains Northern.