Thameslink service frequency and fares

Early day motion 1047, tabled 7 March 2022 by Daisy Cooper (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 5 members.

That this House notes with concern that Thameslink service frequencies remain substantially reduced compared to pre-pandemic levels, notably including the St Albans to London commuter route; further notes the frustrations expressed by many passengers that peak time services can be crowded as a result of the reduction in services, compounded by the sometime use of shorter trains at peak commuting times; understands that Govia Thameslink Railway are constrained by the Department for Transport requirement that service schedules and expenditure must be approved by the Government under the current model of operating the railways; regrets that the Secretary of State for Transport approved a substantial increase in rail fares despite the current reduction in rail services available to commuters; and calls on the Secretary of State for Transport to reverse the annual fare increase for 2022, work urgently with Train Operating Companies to support the recruitment and training of train staff in order that a full timetable can be reinstated at the earliest opportunity, and to provide appropriate compensation to season ticket holders and regular commuters, while these measures are introduced, on the basis that their travel options continue to be considerably reduced and their journeys uncomfortable and overpriced.

Signatures by party: Labour 3, DUP 1, Liberal Democrat 1.