PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Railways: North of England (27 January 2015)

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information his Department holds on whether Rail North support proposals for the introduction of driver-only operating on the Northern Rail and TransPennine Express franchises.

Asked by:
Lisa Nandy (Labour)

We are working closely with Rail North on all aspects of the specifications for the Northern and TransPennine franchises; this includes considering the option of specifying that, where appropriate, drivers take on increased responsibility including the job of opening and closing the train doors, as has been the norm on many other parts of the railway for 30 years.

In considering such an option we would not be requiring the removal of on-board staff. We recognise the importance that passengers place on the presence of on-train staff and want to make sure that where appropriate all of our operators provide these benefits through an effective staff presence that meets passengers’ needs.

The specifications for the franchise are in the process of being finalised and will be published in due course.

Answered by:
Claire Perry (Conservative)
2 February 2015