Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timetable is for the Rail North Partnerships to respond to TransPennine Express's consultation and report process on Boxing Day services.

The Franchise Agreement with TransPennine Express does not outline a timetable for a response to TransPennine Express's consultation and report process on Boxing Day services. However, the Department and Rail North Partnerships are currently considering the contents of the report to determine whether Boxing Day services may be introduced from Dec-18, and if so, how it would be funded. A decision for this implementation date would be required by May/June 2018, and subject to identification of funding.