Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to increase funding for rural train line services.

Recent franchise specifications have often included mandated increased levels of service on rural train lines (for example the East Midlands services in Lincolnshire currently out to tender).

Increased financial contributions to Community Rail Partnerships have also been a feature of recent franchise awards.

This increased level of funding for rural services is therefore expected continue into the years ahead.