Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to encourage train operating companies to introduce automatic compensation payments on delayed services; and if he will make a statement.

We already require operators for new franchises to actively promote passengers’ awareness of their rights and to make the claims process swift and simple, including through the introduction of new technology.

We are also working with existing train operating companies to ensure that passengers’ awareness of the compensation they may be entitled to is increased and to make it as easy as possible to claim.

Some train operating companies have already introduced fully automated compensation and the Department has been working with others who are planning to do so.