PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Public Transport: Coronavirus (1 June 2020)

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what proportion of the additional costs incurred by (a) private operators of national rail services and (b) light rail and tram systems as a result from covid-19 have been met by the public purse.

Asked by:
Alex Davies-Jones (Labour)

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the government has approved £3.5bn of additional expenditure to ensure that vital rail services continue to operate. From this additional expenditure, £2.9bn relates to the 2020/21 financial year. It is not yet possible to provide an estimate of the total cost incurred to date

On 23 May, £29m in support was announced to cover five light rail systems in England. This is intended to cover all reasonable additional costs incurred due to COVID-19 over the period of funding and allow them to operate a full service.

Answered by:
Chris Heaton-Harris (Conservative)
9 June 2020