Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of rail services in the East Midlands.

The Government is committed to improving journeys for passengers in the East Midlands, which is why we are delivering the biggest upgrade of the Midland Main Line route since it was completed in 1870. Passengers will see modern trains introduced across the route during the next East Midlands franchise, including a fleet of brand new bi-mode intercity trains. The upgrade will enable increased passenger capacity and improved journey times, thereby improving the overall experience for passengers.

In an extensive public consultation last summer we sought views on the future of East Midlands rail services to ensure the new franchise delivers the best railway for passengers, communities and businesses, including how local train services can be improved to meet current and future needs more effectively.

The consultation closed on 11 October 2017. All options for rail services in the next franchise are subject to analysis of the potential benefits and the responses we received to the consultation. No decisions have yet been made on the rail services that will be specified. Any outcome will seek to secure the best value for money for the taxpayer and be in the best interests of rail passengers.

The next East Midlands franchise is planned to start in August 2019. Invitations to Tender (ITT) are due to be issued to potential bidders shortly. The ITT will set out the minimum requirements and provide the baseline that we expect the next franchise to build on.