Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance his Department has provided to train operating companies on the ratio of first class seating to standard class seating on passenger trains.

The Department for Transport’s priority is to ensure that passengers are able to access the services they need. Where appropriate the Department may outline an expectation within the specification that first class seating is provided and request that the operator consults local stakeholder groups to inform a rolling stock configuration that is deliverable and meets the needs of the local market. The Department analyses operators’ proposals carefully, and challenges them as appropriate.