GNER AND THE INTERCITY EAST COAST RAIL FRANCHISE

Early day motion 536, tabled 18 January 2005 by Hugh Bayley (Labour). Signed by 63 members.

That this House notes that since 1996 GNER has provided high-quality high-speed inter city train services along the East Coast line linking London, the East Midlands, Yorkshire, the North East and Scotland; recognises that these services make a strategically important contribution to the economies and prosperity of the regions along the line; notes that some fares are now cheaper than when the franchise was awarded and that the number of passengers carried has increased, thereby taking traffic off the roads; notes that GNER's locomotives have an excellent reliability record compared with those of other operators; welcomes GNER's significant investment of ú100 million in rebuilding trains, improving car parks, modernising stations and improving information for passengers, yet notes that it receives no Government subsidy; congratulates GNER on achieving Investors In People status for a second time; notes that nearly 20,000 declarations of support for GNER's bid to retain the franchise have been received from satisfied customers; and calls on the Government to provide stability and continuity for the East Coast service, and to reward a successful company and its helpful staff, by awarding GNER a further franchise so that they will continue to operate this strategically important route.

Signatures by party: Labour 32, Conservative 24, Liberal Democrat 3, DUP 2, Labour/Co-operative 1.