East Coast Main Line Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

East Coast Main Line

Alison McGovern Excerpts
Thursday 27th November 2014

(9 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord McLoughlin Portrait Mr McLoughlin
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I am grateful to my hon. Friend for what he has said, but I should point out to him that this is not just about passengers. It is also about staff—the staff who deliver a fantastic service on the east coast main line, and who will now be given better training. I think that the national academy—which, as I said earlier, will be based in London, York and Derby—is very good news for the people who work on our railways, as well as the passengers who travel on them.

Alison McGovern Portrait Alison McGovern (Wirral South) (Lab)
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Virgin fares on the west coast main line are excruciating. Will the Secretary of State tell us what he can do to protect passengers on the east coast line?

Lord McLoughlin Portrait Mr McLoughlin
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As I have said, some of the top fares will be reduced by 10% in May. Moreover, if passengers buy tickets in advance, they can obtain some very good deals.