GNER AND THE INTERCITY EAST COAST RAIL FRANCHISE

Motion Text

That this House notes that since 1996 GNER has provided high-quality high-speed inter city train services along the East Coast line linking London, the East Midlands, Yorkshire, the North East and Scotland; recognises that these services make a strategically important contribution to the economies and prosperity of the regions along the line; notes that some fares are now cheaper than when the franchise was awarded and that the number of passengers carried has increased, thereby taking traffic off the roads; notes that GNER's locomotives have an excellent reliability record compared with those of other operators; welcomes GNER's significant investment of ú100 million in rebuilding trains, improving car parks, modernising stations and improving information for passengers, yet notes that it receives no Government subsidy; congratulates GNER on achieving Investors In People status for a second time; notes that nearly 20,000 declarations of support for GNER's bid to retain the franchise have been received from satisfied customers; and calls on the Government to provide stability and continuity for the East Coast service, and to reward a successful company and its helpful staff, by awarding GNER a further franchise so that they will continue to operate this strategically important route.