The Railways Bill: Committee to quiz Rail Minister and Network Rail
The Transport Committee will question Rail Minister Lord Hendy and Chief Executive of Network Rail Jeremy Westlake in its final evidence session examining the Government’s plans to reform the rail sector by establishing Great British Railways (GBR).
Meeting details
Lord Hendy and Mr Westlake are appearing before MPs after the long-awaited Railways Bill was introduced to Parliament on 5 November and had its second reading on 9 December. Giving evidence alongside them will be DfT officials.
The cross-party committee will explore the plans for establishing GBR and is likely to ask when passengers will notice a difference to their experience of the railway. As the Railways Bill does not set out the corporate structure or design of GBR, there could be a focus on this with questions about how Network Rail will be transformed into the new body.
MPs are likely to examine governance and accountability, looking at who will be responsible for enforcing high standards of railway service. Additionally, the committee could ask questions about how GBR will be funded and whether the new passenger watchdog will have sufficient powers to stand up for rail users. MPs will also explore whether the needs of disabled passengers are accounted for in the Bill.
The Government has said that GBR will sell tickets, replacing the numerous websites and ticketing apps run by all the current DfT contracted train operators. But with independent retailers still allowed to sell tickets, MPs are likely to explore what will be done to ensure a fair and open retail market.
The fourth and final session of the inquiry could also see MPs delving further into what the legislation will mean for the devolved governments in Scotland and Wales, as well as mayoral authorities in England.