The Railways Bill: MPs question industry experts and Office for Rail and Road on Govt’s plans
The Transport Committee kicks off its inquiry into the Government’s plans to reform the rail sector by establishing Great British Railways (GBR) – replacing Network Rail and taking control of passenger services across the country.
Meeting details
It follows the Government introducing its long-awaited Railways Bill to Parliament on 7 November.
In this session, MPs will question the leadership of regulator the Office for Rail and Road (ORR), which would continue to monitor the performance of GBR under the Government’s plans, but with changes to its powers of enforcement. The Committee is likely to ask whether GBR would have sufficient independence from Ministers under the new system and whether the ORR will have the tools it needs to be an effective regulator under the new system. This will include questions on whether the ORR can act as a realistic appeals route for operators, including freight companies, who want to use the railway network once GBR takes over.
There may be questions on the proposals to create a new passenger watchdog, to be grown out of Transport Focus.
MPs are also likely to ask about the way GBR would be provided with funding in five-year cycles to maintain and enhance rail infrastructure – whether this will be on terms that enable it to make long-term decisions.
The cross-party Committee will also be interested to hear witnesses’ views on whether the Bill will improve the ORR’s oversight of accessibility on the rail network, and services such as Passenger Assistance.