Oliver has met with the Rail Minister, Paul Maynard MP, to discuss the effects on Hertsmere of the proposed break-up of the Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) franchise.
Currently, GTR is responsible for simultaneously operating three lines, two of which go through Hertsmere; Thameslink running through Radlett and Borehamwood and Great Northern through Potters Bar. The routes were combined into one franchise in 2014 in order to support the delivery of the Thameslink upgrade programme and this is up for renewal in 2021 following the programme’s completion.
Under the new national rail strategy, published by the Government last Wednesday, 29 November, they will return to operating as smaller individual franchises.
Speaking after the meeting, Oliver said: ‘It was good to meet with the Rail Minister to discuss these latest announcements and the options being considered by the Government.
‘Lots of local people have raised their concerns with me about what this process will mean for commuters so I was glad to be able to take this opportunity to relay them directly to the Minister.
‘He explained that the Department for Transport is looking at the franchising structure for the three lines that will be put in place after 2021. I was pleased to hear that the Government will be consulting on a number of different options for this that will improve the service.
‘These include integrating track and train so that organisations running our railways can’t pass the buck when things go wrong; looking to separate London area commuter services from the longer distance services to the rest of the country; and whether organisations such as TfL should be invited to bid for the franchises.
‘These are all things that constituents have raised with me and I look forward to them being explored further when the formal consultation is launched.
‘As a commuter on Thameslink myself, I know first-hand how bad the service has been for passengers in recent years. I hope that these latest proposals by the Government, combined with the completion of the Thameslink upgrade, will result in significant improvements and I will be monitoring progress closely on behalf of my constituents.’
After his meeting, Oliver also appeared on BBC Radio Three Counties (link below) to discuss the Government’s plans and what they mean for Hertsmere’s commuters.
Oliver has campaigned extensively to secure better rail services for his constituents since his election, including lobbying Ministers, numerous questions in Parliament and public meetings to allow passengers to hold rail executives directly to account.
Notes
Link to Mr Dowden’s interview on BBC Three Counties below: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05lt0j9 (start listening at 2:48:50)
For more information on the new rail strategy published by the Government, please see: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/strategic-vision-for-rail
For more detail on the plans for Thameslink and Great Northern specifically, please see p38 of the rail strategy document; Connecting People: A Strategic Vision for Rail.