ARRIVA TRAINS

Early day motion 316, tabled 26 October 2001 by John Grogan (Labour). Signed by 28 members.

That this House notes that Arriva Trains has been fined ú2 million by the Strategic Rail Authority in respect of the large numbers of cancelled trains from May to August 2001; considers that the decision of the Strategic Rail Authority to allow Arriva Trains to cancel 1,000 services per week between 29th October 2001 and 24th February 2002 will cause widespread inconvenience to rail passengers in Yorkshire, the North East and North West; further notes that the Chief Executive of the Strategic Rail Authority has stated that Arriva Trains has until 19th November 2001 to convince him that they are operating, and will continue to operate, a proper service and that if performance does not improve the company faces the ultimate sanction of franchise termination; believes that in order to guarantee the continued provision of railway services in the North of England, the Strategic Rail Authority should forthwith investigate whether any alternative rail companies would be available to take over the franchise at short notice; and furthermore believes that a contingency plan should be prepared in case the Authority has to make use of powers granted to it by the Transport Act 2000 to take over the management of the franchise itself.

Signatures by party: Labour 22, Liberal Democrat 4, Labour/Co-operative 2.