PUBLIC TRANSPORT ON BOXING DAY

Early day motion 452, tabled 14 December 2009 by John Grogan (Labour). Signed by 43 members.

That this House expresses its deep disappointment that once again during this festive season the United Kingdom's railways will undergo a 58-hour shutdown with no services whatsoever being provided on the overwhelming majority of lines; notes that this is in stark contrast to the situation that prevails in the rest of Europe where regular services run throughout the Christmas holidays; further notes that in many areas there will be no buses running over a similar period; applauds the efforts of Merseytravel, the West Midlands, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Authorities and Transport for London to run a decent level of bus services on Boxing Day and calls on other areas to follow suit; further notes that the closure of the rail and bus networks leaves many people without access to transport to visit family or friends or attend sporting events; and calls on the Department for Transport, the Passenger Transport Authorities, the Association of Train Operating Companies and Network Rail to work together to ensure that from 2010 an adequate rail and bus service is provided on Boxing Day and that all future rail franchises have provisions for Boxing Day services.

Signatures by party: Labour 26, Liberal Democrat 10, Conservative 3, DUP 2, Independent 2.