Eighth Report - Minimum service levels for rail
- HC No.
- HC 1153
- Published
- 22 Sep 2023
- Items
- 2
- Response
- Response document linked Read government response ↗
Select Committee · Transport Committee
Minimum service levels for rail
Status: Closed
Opened: 9 Feb 2023
Closed: 4 Dec 2023
1 recommendation
1 conclusion
1 report
Inquiry scope
The Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill is currently working its way through Parliament. If passed, the Bill would allow the Secretary of State to make regulations setting out the minimum level of rail services required during industrial action. The Transport Committee plans to examine the process by which those service levels will be defined in practice, and the factors that will need to be taken into account, should the Bill become law. Read the call for evidence for more detail about the inquiry .Reports
Recommendations & Conclusions
Consult widely on the chosen minimum service level model and implementation plan for rail.
Recommendation · source text
At present, the lack of detail from the Department about what a minimum service level specification might look like is preventing stakeholders from being able to assess how it will affect them or those they represent. Once the Department has determined which model of minimum service level it plans to implement through regulations, it must consult on it. The Department should set out an implementation plan and consult with a wide group of stakeholders including unions, passengers and operators. The Department should also consider ways in which a set minimum service level for rail could be piloted.
Department for Transport
Utilise specific criteria to measure the success of minimum service levels for rail, including passenger satisfaction.
Conclusion · source text
Looking to the future, the following criteria should be used by the Department to assess the success of a minimum service level for rail (Paragraph 74): 30 Minimum service levels for rail j) Industrial disputes have neither been prolonged nor increased. Novel industrial action has not proliferated; k) Passenger satisfaction on strike days is greater than at present. Passengers have access to clearly communicated information in relation to service operation, and greater certainty, further in advance than at present, about travel on strike days. l) Long term, there is more effective cooperation and better working relationships between rail unions, the industry and government. (Paragraph 74) Minimum service levels for rail 31
Department for Transport
Oral evidence sessions
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| Date | Session and witnesses | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 24 May 2023 | Ben Smith · Department for Transport, Huw Merriman · Department for Transport, Jake Kelly · Network Rail, John Larkinson · Office of Rail and Road | View ↗ |
| 26 Apr 2023 | Jamie Burles · Abellio Greater Anglia, Mick Lynch · National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers (RMT), Mick Whelan · ASLEF, Rob Jenks · TSSA, Tom Joyner · Cross Country Trains | View ↗ |
| 22 Mar 2023 | Anthony Smith · Transport Focus, Kate Nicholls OBE · UKHospitality, Phil Smart · Rail Freight Group | View ↗ |
Who gave evidence
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| Witness | Organisation | Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Anthony Smith · Chief Executive | Transport Focus | 1 |
| Ben Smith · Director of Industrial Action | Department for Transport | 1 |
| Huw Merriman · Minister of State for Rail | Department for Transport | 1 |
| Jake Kelly · Group Director for System Operator | Network Rail | 1 |
| Jamie Burles · Managing Director | Abellio Greater Anglia | 1 |
| John Larkinson · CEO | Office of Rail and Road | 1 |
| Kate Nicholls OBE · Chief Executive | UKHospitality | 1 |
| Mick Lynch · General Secretary | National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers (RMT) | 1 |
| Mick Whelan · General Secretary | ASLEF | 1 |
| Phil Smart · Assistant Policy Manager | Rail Freight Group | 1 |
| Rob Jenks · Policy Officer | TSSA | 1 |
| Tom Joyner · Managing Director | Cross Country Trains | 1 |
Correspondence
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