Asked by: Lisa Nandy (Labour - Wigan)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether there there are plans to change the operational models for supplying train catering store supplies on the First Trenitalia West Coast franchise.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The operational management of the franchise will be a matter for the operator, First Trenitalia West Coast, who can be contacted via First Group (https://www.firstgroupplc.com/).
Asked by: Lisa Nandy (Labour - Wigan)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what specification has been provided for the (a) new and (b) renovated fleet on the First Trenitalia West Coast Franchise.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Secretary of State specified that rolling stock on the West Coast Partnership suits its leisure, business and commuting passengers. This will be realised through the introduction of 23 brand new trains on the network, including 13 new bi-modes and 10 new electric multiple units. Voyager class trains will be refreshed by September 2020 and there will be a £117m investment to renovate the Pendolino fleet.
Asked by: Lisa Nandy (Labour - Wigan)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the Leadec cleaning staffing provision will be maintained on the First Trenitalia West Coast franchise.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The operational management of the franchise will be a matter for the operator, First Trenitalia West Coast, who can be contacted via First Group (https://www.firstgroupplc.com/)
Asked by: Lisa Nandy (Labour - Wigan)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether it is his policy to retain a safety critical guard on each train on the First Trenitalia West Coast franchise.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The operational management of the franchise will be a matter for the operator, First Trenitalia West Coast, who can be contacted via First Group.
Asked by: Lisa Nandy (Labour - Wigan)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the existing locations of (a) train crew and (b) catering depots will be retained on the First Trenitalia West Coast franchise.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The operational management of the franchise will be a matter for the operator, First Trenitalia West Coast, who can be contacted via First Group.
Asked by: Lisa Nandy (Labour - Wigan)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the buffet car will be retained on all trains, including the new and updated fleet, on the First Trenitalia West Coast franchise.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The operational management of the franchise will be a matter for the operator, First Trenitalia West Coast, who can be contacted via First Group.
Asked by: Lisa Nandy (Labour - Wigan)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether all ticket offices on the First Trenitalia West Coast franchise will remain open with existing staffing levels and opening hours maintained.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The operational management of the franchise will be a matter for the operator, First Trenitalia West Coast, who can be contacted via First Group.
Asked by: Lisa Nandy (Labour - Wigan)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether (a) despatch staff, (b) shunters, (c) directly employed cleaners (d) customer service staff and (e) other front-line station staffing levels will be maintained on the First Trenitalia West Coast franchise.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The operational management of the franchise will be a matter for the operator, First Trenitalia West Coast, who can be contacted via First Group.
Asked by: Lisa Nandy (Labour - Wigan)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the disqualification of Stagecoach from three rail franchise bids, what recent assessment he has made of the viability of the rail franchise system.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Williams Review is currently considering potential rail industry structures and will summarise its recommendations as part of a white paper in Autumn 2019.
Asked by: Lisa Nandy (Labour - Wigan)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the disqualification of Stagecoach from three rail franchise bids, what steps is he taking to help protect the (a) jobs and (b) terms and conditions of all staff employed by Virgin Trains West Coast.
Answered by Andrew Jones
The Invitation to Tender for the West Coast Partnership does not specify a reduction in any staff, and is explicit in its requirement for a franchisee who will provide a high-quality experience for all customers, including through excellent customer service.
Overall, since 2010/11 we have seen an increase in the total number of people employed by Train Operating Companies of nearly 20%.