Evidence session
Rail Services and Infrastructure
Wednesday 11 December, 09:15, Grimond Room, Portcullis House
The Transport Committee will question the Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy on the Government’s plans for major reforms to the railway sector.
Lord Hendy, previously Chair of Network Rail and a senior TfL official, will be flanked by three Department for Transport (DfT) officials with responsibility for rail, local transport and major projects.
The panel will face questions on plans for bringing passenger services under public ownership as train companies’ contracts expire over the coming years. They will also be asked to explain the continuing poor performance of Northern Rail, which has already been brought under DfT’s control via the Operator of Last Resort. In July 2024 the franchise was reported as having a cancellation rate of 20% to 35%.
The Minister will be quizzed on progress with building HS2, and how a new terminus and station at Euston could be delivered by public/private partnership, amid concerns about safety and capacity at the existing central London station.
MPs will seek an update on plans to establish (GBR) Great British Railways – the new body slated to replace Network Rail and take over ticketing and the management of franchises. The former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh recently told the Committee that GBR could “at the earliest” be up and running by the “end of 2026”.
The cross-party Committee is also likely to ask about plans to reform ticketing and fares in the time before GBR is established, and about LNER’s trial of simplified fares which it launched in February this year.
Lord Hendy may also face questions on topics such as East West Rail; rolling stock manufacturing; Northern Powerhouse Rail and electrification projects that were announced in the Autumn Budget.
Witnesses from 09:15
· Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill CBE, Minister for Rail, Department for Transport
· Conrad Bailey, Director General, Public Transport and Local Group, Department for Transport
· Alex Hynes, Director General, Rail Services Group, Department for Transport
· Alan Over, Director General, Major Rail Projects Group, Department for Transport
Image credit: iStockphoto.com / CHUNYIP WONG
