Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken to consult (a) hon. Members representing London constituencies, (b) Greater London Assembly members, (c) local authorities and (d) the London Mayor on train timetable alterations made since March 2021 in response to the covid-19 outbreak.

In light of the surge in Omicron cases and rising staff sickness, the rail industry has made plans to operate the maximum level of service it can run reliably within existing operational constraints, to ensure passengers can plan their journeys with confidence.

Responding effectively to the challenges posed by this pandemic meant that the rail industry had to amend its timetables at short notice, cope with fluctuating passenger demand and staff absence, and act quickly on feedback from stakeholders. Train operators worked closely with their local markets and key stakeholders, including passenger groups, Members of Parliament, local and mayoral authorities, to find the best solution to the needs of the local community, and run a reliable service within existing current operational constraints. Industry partners will continue to collaborate to develop attractive timetables that are reliable and deliver excellent performance for passengers.