Committee to quiz Rail Minister on rail service reliability and HS2
The Transport Committee will question the Rail Minister, Huw Merriman, in a regular scrutiny session of the Department for Transport’s (DfT) work on rail services and infrastructure.
Meeting details
The cross-party Committee will explore the reliability and performance of the rail sector, following the latest Office for Rail and Road (ORR) statistics showing that complaints in 2023 rose by 23% compared to 2022. This could include questions regarding the DfT’s assessment of Avanti West Coast’s recent performance, overcrowding at Euston Station and the service reliability of Great Western Main Line.
MPs could ask about the procurement of rolling stock and the Government’s promise to publish a road map for procurement by the end of 2023. The Cancellation of plans for a centralised online rail ticket retailer, LNER’s new fare trial and the Great British Rail Sale may also be discussed.
The Minister will likely be asked about the recent report by the Public Accounts Committee on HS2, and its findings that continuing with just Phase 1 represents “poor value for money” and that “DfT does not yet understand how HS2 will operate as a functioning railway”. The costs of HS2, its likely capacity and journey times, and the disposal of property that is no longer needed for the project could also be explored.