Plight of Enfield rail commuters brought to the floor of the House

Today Nick got the opportunity to  highlight the cramped conditions and poor service that many rail commuters from some Enfield stations undergo on a regular basis, during questions to the Secretary of State for Transport in the House of Commons.

Nick asked the minister the following question: " Given the current poor standard of commuter service that my constituents in Enfield North receive from National Express, as evidenced by the lowest average customer satisfaction rates across the south-east, how will our franchising proposals improve the experience for passengers in my constituency and elsewhere?"

Theresa Villiers, Minister of State for transport responded that the tough new conditions that will be imposed on rail operators in return for longer franchise agreements mean that services will have to improve or ultimately rail operators could lose their franchise. In reply she said;

"We will ensure that the new rail franchising system imposes on train operators demanding performance requirements, based on passenger outcomes and passenger satisfaction. Operators that do not meet those demanding requirements will face serious sanctions that will include, in the most serious cases, termination of the franchise. We believe that longer franchises will lead to more private sector investment and the improvements to stations and railways that passengers want, to improve their journeys. Longer franchises will also enable train operators to build longer-term working relationships with Network Rail, which are so vital to ensure that our railways are run efficiently and deliver value for money."

Nick de Bois campaigned before the election with the Enfield Rail Campaign to get more rolling stock to ease overcrowding and an improved new timetable that better reflected commuter needs.

Commenting later Nick said:

" Clearly the government have been listening to the frustrations of commuters, particularly in the light of the failed franchise agreement that National Express held under the last government which has in part contributed to the poor conditions Enfield commuters from Lock, Brimsdown, Southbury, Turkey Street and Enfield Town have to put up with. I travel regularly across all our commuter services and know first hand what passengers go through on a daily basis- it's just not good enough."

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