My Lords, it will also be convenient at this time to speak to Amendments 2 to 4, Amendment 6, Amendments 12 and 13, Amendments 15 to 19 and Amendments 21 to 23. These amendments cover a range of issues demonstrating the variety of important topics debated during the passage of...

My Lords, it will also be convenient at this time to speak to Amendments 2 to 4, Amendment 6, Amendments 12 and 13, Amendments 15 to 19 and Amendments 21 to 23. These amendments cover a range of issues demonstrating the variety of important topics debated during the passage of...

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to ensure that bus companies undertake a public consultation with passengers before submitting the required 56 days' notice for route changes to the Traffic Commissioner for Great Britain.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to ensure that bus companies undertake a public consultation with passengers before submitting the required 56 days' notice for route changes to the Traffic Commissioner for Great Britain.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information his Department holds on the amount of compensation that has been paid out to consumers in compensation for delayed and cancelled flights under EU regulations in each of the last five years.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what information his Department holds on the amount of compensation that has been paid out to consumers in compensation for delayed and cancelled flights under EU regulations in each of the last five years.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the current legislation regarding endangering passenger safety on trains; and what assessment they have made of whether the current legislation regarding the safe operation of trains adequately protects the guard from legal action related to reckless actions by passengers.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the current legislation regarding endangering passenger safety on trains; and what assessment they have made of whether the current legislation regarding the safe operation of trains adequately protects the guard from legal action related to reckless actions by passengers.

The independent transport user watchdog, Transport Focus, produces an annual bus passenger satisfaction survey, and the autumn 2016 report was published last week. Overall bus passenger survey results scored 87%, up from 86% in the previous year.

The independent transport user watchdog, Transport Focus, produces an annual bus passenger satisfaction survey, and the autumn 2016 report was published last week. Overall bus passenger survey results scored 87%, up from 86% in the previous year.

I thank the Minister for that answer, but the Manchester Evening News recently ran its own survey of Greater Manchester residents, and in response to being asked which part of the transport network people most wanted to see improved, more than one in five identified poor bus services. Their complaints covered a whole range of issues including pricing, difficulty in making long journeys, the lack of night buses and general unreliability. What reassurance can the Minister give to Greater Manchester bus users that their complaints are being heard?

I thank the Minister for that answer, but the Manchester Evening News recently ran its own survey of Greater Manchester residents, and in response to being asked which part of the transport network people most wanted to see improved, more than one in five identified poor bus services. Their complaints covered a whole range of issues including pricing, difficulty in making long journeys, the lack of night buses and general unreliability. What reassurance can the Minister give to Greater Manchester bus users that their complaints are being heard?

I would draw their attention to the Government’s commitment to financing the bus service operators grant during the course of this Parliament, and to the Bus Services Bill, which received its Third Reading on Monday.

I would draw their attention to the Government’s commitment to financing the bus service operators grant during the course of this Parliament, and to the Bus Services Bill, which received its Third Reading on Monday.

What recent assessment he has made of trends in bus passenger satisfaction.

What recent assessment he has made of trends in bus passenger satisfaction.

The respective roles of central Government and local government were a running theme in Committee, and I think we are back to it this afternoon. I will begin with the amendments that deal with the franchising schemes.

The decision to move to a franchising system is a big one for any...

The respective roles of central Government and local government were a running theme in Committee, and I think we are back to it this afternoon. I will begin with the amendments that deal with the franchising schemes.

The decision to move to a franchising system is a big one for any...

I beg to move, That the Bill be now read the Third time.

I am grateful to all hon. Members who have engaged so constructively with the passage of the Bill, and demonstrated their shared commitment to improving bus services and increasing bus passenger numbers.

Buses are already England’s most used form...

I beg to move, That the Bill be now read the Third time.

I am grateful to all hon. Members who have engaged so constructively with the passage of the Bill, and demonstrated their shared commitment to improving bus services and increasing bus passenger numbers.

Buses are already England’s most used form...

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make representations to Transport for London to require rail franchisees to respond in a timely manner to passenger requests.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make representations to Transport for London to require rail franchisees to respond in a timely manner to passenger requests.

Q13

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Huw Merriman (Bexhill and Battle) (Con):

The compensation paid by Network Rail to train operators for delays far exceeds the amounts that the passengers who experience the delays are claiming because the ticket refund process can be cumbersome. Will the Prime Minister insist that train operators ring fence that money, and spend it on automated smart ticketing so that customers can tap on and tap off their train, and receive money in their bank accounts for the delays that they have been caused?

Q13

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Huw Merriman (Bexhill and Battle) (Con):

The compensation paid by Network Rail to train operators for delays far exceeds the amounts that the passengers who experience the delays are claiming because the ticket refund process can be cumbersome. Will the Prime Minister insist that train operators ring fence that money, and spend it on automated smart ticketing so that customers can tap on and tap off their train, and receive money in their bank accounts for the delays that they have been caused?

My hon. Friend raises an important point, which I know is a source of much frustration to many rail passengers. I thank him and others for the way in which they have spoken up on behalf of passengers, especially those using lines such as Thameslink and Southern. The best way to ensure that the operators do not profit from unclaimed compensation is for passengers to claim the compensation that they are entitled to. The Department for Transport is looking at how we can ensure that we publicise compensation schemes and make claims easier. We are rolling out improved Delay Repay compensation to allow passengers to claim after a delay of just 15 minutes. The Department is continuing to look at this issue, and I am sure it will pick up the points that my hon. Friend has raised.

My hon. Friend raises an important point, which I know is a source of much frustration to many rail passengers. I thank him and others for the way in which they have spoken up on behalf of passengers, especially those using lines such as Thameslink and Southern. The best way to ensure that the operators do not profit from unclaimed compensation is for passengers to claim the compensation that they are entitled to. The Department for Transport is looking at how we can ensure that we publicise compensation schemes and make claims easier. We are rolling out improved Delay Repay compensation to allow passengers to claim after a delay of just 15 minutes. The Department is continuing to look at this issue, and I am sure it will pick up the points that my hon. Friend has raised.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to page eight of the Action Plan for Information on Rail Fares and Ticketing, published in 2016, what progress has been made on delivering the commitment on enabling customers to claim back relevant expenses relating to having forgotten a valid...

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to page eight of the Action Plan for Information on Rail Fares and Ticketing, published in 2016, what progress has been made on delivering the commitment on enabling customers to claim back relevant expenses relating to having forgotten a valid...

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many people used Swindon station in each year since 2000.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many people used Swindon station in each year since 2000.

Debate on a Select Committee report, HC 64, and the Government Response, HC 905. Agreed to on question.

Debate on a Select Committee report, HC 64, and the Government Response, HC 905. Agreed to on question.