Skip to main content

More railway chaos ahead, MPs warn

TRAIN passengers will face “another difficult year” with more chaotic timetable changes and engineering works expected, a Commons’ public accounts committee report warns today.

The MPs claimed there is still “a way to go” before public-sector body Network Rail and private train operating firms effectively collaborate to minimise disruption during structural works.

They said the Department for Transport (DfT) must get a grip on its management of rail as passengers and taxpayers “risk continuing to pay the price” for its failure. The DfT did not make sure that those responsible for the railway were clear about their roles, according to the committee.

Committee chairwoman Meg Hillier described last year as “a year from hell” for rail users and said that this year could be as bad.

Last year, Govia Thameslink Railway and Northern failed to operate 780 daily trains on average after new timetables were introduced in May. Other services were significantly delayed and overcrowded.

More significant timetable changes as well as maintenance and improvement works are planned for this year, the committee noted.

Former British Airways chief executive Keith Williams is carrying out an extensive government-commissioned review of the railways.

Ms Hillier said: “The ‘root-and-branch’ review will report later in 2019 and must then be implemented, so passengers have some time to wait for any improvements arising from its recommendations.”

RMT union general secretary Mick Cash said that the committee report’s findings added more weight to the argument for renationalising rail.

He said: “The only way that you can improve the strategic management of Britain’s broken and fragmented railways is through the return of the whole system to one integrated and publicly owned body.

“Anything else is doomed to continued failure with passengers left paying the price.”

OWNED BY OUR READERS

We're a reader-owned co-operative, which means you can become part of the paper too by buying shares in the People’s Press Printing Society.

 

 

Become a supporter

Fighting fund

You've Raised:£ 13,288
We need:£ 4,712
3 Days remaining
Donate today