Concern about train service cuts

Local MP, Andrew George, has urged Rail Minister, Rt. Hon Theresa Villiers MP, to think again proposing to reduce the Penzance to Paddington rail service from 9 to 6 through trains per day. Although this would not necessarily mean that services would be cut by that amount, it would provide companies the opportunity to bid for a service which was significantly reduced on what is currently provided. Mr George will also press the Transport Secretary, Rt. Hon Justine Greening MP, in the Commons this afternoon. Mr George has secured an emergency meeting with the Rail Minister, Ms Villiers, tomorrow morning to thrash the issue out.

On behalf of his fellow MPs, Mr George had already written to Ms Villiers, urging her to put forward a franchise option which would see significant enhancements on the current clock face service, with further enhancements and additional trains rather than fewer.

After having secured reassurance regarding the future of the sleeper service, Mr George had already urged the Minister to enhance the through service both in terms of its quality and also to provide for a Saturday evening sleeper service, to bring it from 6 to 7 nights a week.

Mr George said, “This simply isn’t good enough. With seriously overcrowded trains, over-inflation ticket increases and other service cuts, the Government should be enhancing the Penzance to Paddington service rather than cutting it. That was one of the primary reasons why we supported the Government’s proposal to offer the franchise for a longer – 15 year – period. I hope the Minister will think again.”

 

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