Railways in Parliament

GBR ticket link to TfL

CONTACTLESS ticketing is being extended and York Central MP

Rachel Maskell was concerned about Department for Transport (DfT) plans to integrate Transport for London’s (TfL) single ticketing infrastructure with that of Great British Railways (GBR).

Transport Minister Wendy Morton explained: “The Government has committed to expanding Pay As You Go (PAYG) in the South East through extending the TfL contactless system.

“This will significantly increase the number of passengers who will be able to travel using contactless ticketing between National Rail and TfL modes. Further integration of these systems with National Rail will be a matter for TfL and Great British Railways.

“Last year’s spending review set aside £360 million investment to modernise industry ticketing and retailing systems. We also announced alongside the Integrated Rail Plan, an expansion of PAYG travel on rail to more than 700 stations in urban areas across the country including more than 400 in the North. This is in addition to our manifesto commitment to extend PAYG to more than 200 stations in the South East.”

Ukraine assistance

ACTIONS to support Ukraine with an UIC 1435mm Standard Gauge track to the Polish border were sought by Lord Alton of Liverpool. The gauge change (from ‘Russian Gauge’ 1520mm) would enable trains to travel to and from Poland and other European Union member states without having to replace bogies.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Transport Minister in the House of Lords, said: “We are urgently working with the United Nations, the G7 and the international community to explore the best solutions to extract the 25 million tons of grain currently stuck in Ukraine. We continue to work with the Ukrainians and other international partners to find ways to resume the export of grain from Ukraine, and to the countries that desperately need it.

“Network Rail has recently assisted the Ukrainian rail authorities with a gift of surplus road vehicles and rail engineering tools that can be used to repair damaged rail infrastructure.”

Drivers’ pay revealed

PAY negotiations involving the ASLEF and RMT rail unions have brought a focus on train drivers, and North West Durham MP Richard Holden wanted to know what information the DfT holds on drivers’ salaries.

Mrs Morton replied: “Information relating to salary is managed and set by the individual Train Operating Companies in line with their annual budgets. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes detailed statistics on pay by occupation.

“Data from the ONS statistics states that for ‘train and tram drivers’, median annual gross pay was: £59,189 in 2021, £55,546 in 2020, and £56,102 in 2019. The 80th percentile figures, where the top 20% of employees are paid above this figure, are £70,352 (2021), £67,709 (2020), £67,037 (2019.”

Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London and TfL.

New project funding

THE York Central MP asked whether Control Period 7 (CP7) is planned to implement the Integrated Rail Plan; and whether CP7 is planned to enable the allocation of funding to new projects.

Transport Minister Andrew Stephenson said: “The Government is currently considering the funding and outputs framework for Control Period 7, which focuses on the operation, maintenance and renewal of the current rail network.

“Network Rail enhancement projects are authorised separately through the Rail Network Enhancements Portfolio, which includes relevant Integrated Rail Plan projects. The IRP is a multi-decade programme made up of Network Rail and HS2 schemes; further details are set out in the November 2021 plan.”

GBR ticketing app

SOUTH Holland MP Sir John Hayes wanted details of the DfT’s preferred bidder selection for Great British

Railway’s Consolidated Online Retail Solution.

Mrs Morton said: “Great British Railways will become an online retailer in its own right, ending the current confusion passengers face with multiple train operating company websites.

“The Rail Delivery Group are working to procure what will become Great British Railways’ website and app for ticket retailing.”

Franchise comeback?

LORD Taylor of Warwick wants the Government to encourage private investment in Great British Railways. Transport Minister Baroness Vere of Norbiton said: “Great British Railways will get best value from the private sector, including restoring competition for passenger services contracts.

“Under the new industry structure, GBR will engage with suppliers from a position of strength, offering high-value opportunities to the private sector to compete to deliver world class solutions for passengers.

“Simpler procurement within a stable commercial environment will help to remove barriers to investment and innovation.”