Jeremy Quin MP raised a question to the Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP, in the House of Commons this morning. Patrick McLoughlin was announcing an extension of the Government’s direct control of Network Rail and what he is doing to hold Network Rail to account.
Mr. Quin welcomed the Government’s commitment that commuter rail fares will be capped in real terms for the whole of this Parliament: this should mean that for the first time since 2002, people’s earnings will be rising faster than rail fares.
However, Mr. Quin in the Commons also asked for reassurance that the Secretary of State will be using his increased influence to ensure that problems facing rail commuters in the Southern region are resolved. The Secretary of State reaffirmed that Claire Perry, the Rail Minister, has his full support on this very important issue.
Mr. Quin has also applied to Parliament for a debate specifically on the performance of local rail services. Mr. Quin commented: "The rail minister Claire Perry is really focused on sorting out the outstanding issues that are making so many commuters’ lives miserable. I welcome her commitment and am working hard to keep up the pressure on this issue."