GREAT WESTERN FRANCHISE

Motion Text

That this House notes that the Department for Transport has recently published the Great Western Franchise consultation document; is concerned that proposals in the document to encourage smart ticketing technology and to explore options to sell tickets in local shops could lead to a consolidation of the McNulty report recommendation that train operators should consider closing all Category E station ticket offices, of which there are almost 30 on the Great Western route; is opposed to any such closures; is concerned that there is no explicit commitment in the consultation document that restaurant cars open to standard and first class passengers will be retained; further notes that the introduction of new Intercity Express trains raises fears amongst the existing fleet maintenance workforce about their future employment prospects; seeks a commitment that existing staff will have their jobs protected; and supports the retention of guards on all services where they are currently provided.