Asked by: Jeremy Quin (Conservative - Horsham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with GTR-Southern on the adequacy of the number of on-board supervisors in their area of operation.
Answered by Paul Maynard
Southern has created a new on-board supervisor (OBS) role for guards. These crew members are passenger-focussed and trained to manage emergencies.
Although operational staffing requirements are for the train operator to manage, the Department is aware that Southern will roster an on-board supervisor (OBS) on all trains which previously had a conductor. In addition, Southern has hired around 90 additional on-board supervisors and those staff are already working to assist passengers on Southern trains.
Asked by: Jeremy Quin (Conservative - Horsham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Office of Rail and Road's report, GTR-Southern Railways-Driver Only Operation, published on 5 January 2017, what assurances he has received from that train operating company that the equipment, procedures and staffing are in place as recommended in that report.
Answered by Paul Maynard
It is for the independent safety regulator - the Office of Road and Rail (ORR) - to judge whether the equipment, procedures and staffing is in place to provide a safe railway operation, and therefore it is to the ORR that such assurances are provided. The Secretary of State for Transport is aware that the operator concerned has provided the necessary assurances as recommended in the report he mentions.
Asked by: Jeremy Quin (Conservative - Horsham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will hold discussions with Govia Thameslink Railway on the action it might take to mitigate the financial effect on retail outlets in train stations of industrial action by employees of Southern Rail.
Answered by Paul Maynard
The unnecessary industrial action is clearly having an effect on both passengers and businesses.
I am in regular contact with Govia Thameslink Railway and any retailer who feels that the disruption has had a detrimental effect on their business, should contact their managing Agent, Amey PT. Govia has assured me that each case will be looked at on an individual basis.
Asked by: Jeremy Quin (Conservative - Horsham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what reports he has received on Southern trains (a) being taken out of service and (b) skipping stations or suffering delays due to cameras on driver-only operation trains failing.
Answered by Paul Maynard
Govia Thameslink Railway is not required to provide the Department with detailed information on the causes of train failures. Officials have discussed camera failures with Southern, who confirmed that there has been a noticeable increase in camera defects reported. However, when investigated, no faults have been found by technical teams.