Asked by: Iain Wright (Labour - Hartlepool)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much his Department has spent on (a) Uber for Business and (b) other Uber transactions since 28 October 2016.
Answered by John Hayes
I confirm that my Department has nil direct spend via purchase orders or contracts with Uber private hire services to date.
Departmental staff may, exceptionally, claim taxi or private hire fares when on official business. The Department electronically records the type of travel e.g. private hire and the amount claimed on the travel expenses accounting systems but does not in all cases centrally record or identify separately the name of the firm used.
Asked by: Iain Wright (Labour - Hartlepool)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with Arriva Rail North Ltd on overcrowding on that company's services operating under the Northern franchise; if he will take steps to bring forward (a) the introduction of new rolling stock on that franchise and (b) increased journeys on those services; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Paul Maynard
The delivery of the 281 new carriages for Northern are already on tight delivery timescales with no ability to bring their introduction forward. As part of the bidding process all bidders were encouraged to bring forward their delivery of additional rolling stock as early as possible.
Any increase in journeys or train services is limited by the availability of rolling stock and there is currently an industry wide shortage of spare diesel units.
Asked by: Iain Wright (Labour - Hartlepool)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what his Department's policy is on replacing pacer trains on rail services in the north of England.
Answered by Andrew Jones
All Pacer vehicles on the Northern franchise will be withdrawn by 2020 due to incompatibility of the Pacer vehicles with the vision for economic growth and prosperity in the north as per announcement by the Secretary of State in February 2015.
Asked by: Iain Wright (Labour - Hartlepool)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he with ensure that Pacer trains operating on services in the North East are replaced rather than modified; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Claire Perry
As stated in the consultation document for the next Northern and TransPennine Express franchises, The Department will require bidders “to include plans, either in their core proposition or as an option, which would enable the withdrawal of all Pacer units from Northern services.” Beyond this the Department does not intend to specify rolling stock solutions for either the TransPennine or Northern franchises.