§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps have been taken to increase the number of additional park and ride spaces serving the Merseyrail network for 2003–04.[128589]
§ Mr. McNultyThe following schemes are in progress at locations serving the Merseyrail network.
390WFormby
Refurbishment of the car park, up-grading provision for blue badge holders, construction of a bus interchange and taxi stands. The number of spaces is to be determined. A further phase is being considered for land off Andrews lane.Birkdale
Refurbishment of the car park, up-grading provision for blue badge holders and delivery of a further 14 spaces. A further phase depends on the availability of land.Maghull
Extension of the existing car park, delivering a further 88 spaces.Aintree
A scheme to deliver a further 50 spaces is being considered, subject to planning constraints.Kirkby
Refurbishment of the car park, and up-grading of the bus interchange, taxi stands and provision for blue badge holders. The scheme will deliver a further 10 spaces. A further phase could deliver another 100 spaces.Whiston
Construction of a new car park and bus interchange, delivering a further 45 spaces.Prescot
Refurbishment and enlargement of the existing car park including provision for blue badge holders, delivering a further 32 spaces.Seaforth and Litherland
Refurbishment and enlargement of the existing car park including provision for blue badge holders, delivering a further 20 spaces.
§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are being taken to improve standards of station seating, shelter and passenger facilities for the rail services in Merseyside. [128591]
§ Mr. McNultyThrough the Strategic Rail Authority's Modern Facilities at Stations (MFAS) programme, 21 stations in Merseyside will receive improvements. This will involve the installation of real time passenger information at 20 stations and improved waiting facilities (waiting rooms with heating, integral seating and automatic doors) at 16 stations.
Merseytravel Passenger Transport Authority and Executive is seeking, via its own programme, to deliver improvements at a further 25 stations through the local transport plan. Where shelters, seats and customer information systems are included as part of the improvement the aim is to deliver to MFAS standards were possible.
§ Mrs Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of fare irregularities were detected in Merseyside over the past two years. [128592]
§ Mr. McNultyThe percentage of fare irregularities on Merseyside over the last two years was approximately 11 per cent. This figure is for all fare irregularities including passengers travelling with no ticket, those who travelled beyond the validity of the ticket and those travelling in the peak with an off-peak ticket, irrespective of intent. The figure is for the 24 months up to June 2003, being the most recent period for which data are available.