MPs probe how Strikes Bill could apply to the railways
The cross-party Committee will use this session to learn about the impact that industrial action has had on both freight and passenger services, and how different rail users, businesses and areas of the country have been affected.
Meeting details
MPs may ask the witnesses, who include representatives of the Rail Freight Group, UK Hospitality and Transport Focus, how a minimum level of service could be designed and implemented, which routes could be prioritised and how the needs of freight users and passengers could be balanced. They may also consider the pros and cons of two options set out by the Government in its ongoing consultation: basing service levels on a proportion of normal timetables, or prioritising certain routes.
The Department for Transport has said all operators develop contingency plans for industrial action and publish timetables while “attempting to deliver a reliable, albeit much reduced service”. It said that some areas of the country will see little to no services on strike days, and that the ability of the employer to react to strikes on train services is dependent on the type of staff participating in the strike action.