Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will consider to remove Govia from the shortlist for the West Midlands franchise.

As the franchising authority, we have to present a fair and transparent set of rules in which commercial organisations can bid for and run passenger services. Govia are a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ) Passport holder, which means they can express an interest in bidding for any future franchise.