Richard Ottaway MP: Press releasses

PRESS RELEASE

8 March 2004

Croydon South MP questions Minister on overcrowding on trains

Richard Ottaway, Conservative MP for Croydon South, after questioning the Secretary of State for Transport, has secured a ministerial pledge to address overcrowding on South Central and Thameslink trains. (See Parliamentary Question below).

Richard Ottaway says:-

"South Central and Thameslink Trains have some of the UK's most overcrowded services in the morning rush hour. People are quite entitled to go to work in civilized way. I will be monitoring the Minister's pledge closely"

ENDS

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House of Commons Written Parliamentary Question
Date Answered: Thursday 4th March 2004

Railways
Richard Ottaway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are being taken to relieve overcrowding on services operated by (a) South Central and (b) Thameslink. [157863]

Mr. McNulty: Under the Strategic Rail Authority's new franchise agreement with Go Via, capacity will be increased when a new fleet of trains is provided on South Central services from 2005. The two-year extension of the Thameslink franchise, effective from 1 April 2004, incorporates an option to provide additional capacity and services primarily on the Wimbledon loop where the route is most constrained. This proposal is subject to securing additional rolling stock and meeting value for money and affordability considerations.