Select committee: Transport Committee

Eighth Report - Minimum service levels for rail

HC 1153 Published 22 September 2023

Transport Committee Minimum service levels for rail Report on parliament.uk ↗

At a glance1 recommendation and 1 conclusion · Government response published 4 December 2023 (deadline 22 November 2023)

The government's response

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government says the Regulations currently before Parliament address all nine criteria the Committee recommended, and sets out its approach to minimum service levels (MSLs) for passenger rail.

On service levels, it expects them to "exceed the overall service levels provided on previous strike days", and says the three MSL categories include 40% of timetabled services for train operation and light rail.
On the Committee's suggestion that the department pilot MSLs, it states that the parent Act "does not include powers to undertake a pilot".
It expects the Regulations, "subject to Parliamentary approval", to "come into force before the end of the year", so employers can issue work notices "should they choose to do so".
On the Committee's three proposed success criteria, it "welcomes these suggested criteria and will carefully monitor the impact of MSLs".

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error

What the committee recommended 2

2
Consult widely on the chosen minimum service level model and implementation plan for rail. Recommendation · paragraph 70
3
Utilise specific criteria to measure the success of minimum service levels for rail, including passenger satisfaction. Conclusion · paragraph 74

Sources

Eighth Report - Minimum service levels for rail ↗The committee's report, HC 1153, parliament.uk
Second Special Report - Minimum service levels for rail: Government Response to the Committee’s Eighth Report of Session 2022–23 ↗The government's response, 4 December 2023, parliament.uk

Recommendations and conclusions 2

2
Consult widely on the chosen minimum service level model and implementation plan for rail. Recommendation · paragraph 70 · addressed to Department for Transport Recommendation (the committee's words)
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.
3
Utilise specific criteria to measure the success of minimum service levels for rail, including passenger satisfaction. Conclusion · paragraph 74 · addressed to Department for Transport Conclusion (the committee's words)
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.