Liberal Democrat MP for Torbay concerned by train cancellation stats as new research reveals over 100 trains cancelled in just four weeks in Torbay
Liberal Democrat MP for Torbay concerned by train cancellation stats as new research reveals over 100 trains cancelled in just four weeks in Torbay
Steve Darling has said he is extremely concerned and has demanded that the Government take action, after new numbers tell a damning story about the state of our railways.
Statistics from the Office for Rail and Road have revealed the extent of disruption facing commuters in Torbay and across the UK, with a significant proportion of services being delayed or cancelled.
There are serious problems with cancellations across the south west, with an average of 5.6% of scheduled services not stopping at Torbay’s stations of Torquay, Torre and Paignton between the 5th of January and 1st of February this year. That’s an estimated 106 trains.
Liberal Democrat MP for Torbay Steve Darling says passengers must become the priority, and after years of Conservative failure, the government must work to get rail back on track.
Steve is calling on the government to urgently establish a new Railway Agency, which would help to join up the industry from track to train: putting commuters first, holding train companies to account, and bringing in widescale reform of the broken fare system.
Steve added:
“These statistics are a damning indictment of the state of our railways, and it is commuters who are paying the price after years of Conservative failure.
“Passengers must become the priority, which is why Liberal Democrats are continuing to call for a freeze on rail fares, as commuters should not be punished financially for struggling services.
“I am horrified by the poor service passengers have had to put up with, and these statistics highlight how desperate the situation is. It is time for the Government to take action by establishing a Railway Agency as quickly as possible to improve services and put passengers at the heart of decision-making.”
Statistics source: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lWKrrgsxLQZdBFTJlO_G-fgxFLTjqNwVtmBFaIIXQGU/edit?gid=0#gid=0