RAIL OVERCROWDING

Early day motion 696, tabled 22 January 2007 by Lord Grayling (Conservative). Signed by 130 members.

That this House expresses its very great concern at the comments by Dr Mike Mitchell, Director General of the Rail Group at the Department for Transport, that rail commuters with thirty minute journeys should not expect to have a seat; notes that the problem of overcrowding is becoming endemic on many parts of the rail system; further notes that the latest round of fare increases means that passengers are being asked to pay more to travel in increasingly uncomfortable conditions; further notes that many of the capacity increases promised by the Government in its Ten Year Plan have not materialised; and calls on Ministers to launch an urgent review of the rail industry with a view to identifying ways to deal quickly with the problem of overcrowding in London and other parts of the rail network.

Signatures by party: Conservative 74, Liberal Democrat 43, Labour 6, DUP 5, Plaid Cymru 2.