Minister dismisses West Coast concern

Five Parliamentary Written Questions relating to West Coast Partnership franchise issues such as staff and ticketing have been disregarded by Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris.

Lisa Nandy (Labour, Wigan) asked if First Trenitalia, which replaces Virgin Trains in December, would maintain staffing levels, if all ticket offices would remain open and staffed, if catering would be retained on-board, if existing train crew and catering depot locations would be retained, and if a guard would be retained on the trains.

Heaton-Harris responded to each question with: “The operational management of the franchise will be a matter for the operator, First Trenitalia West Coast, who can be contacted via FirstGroup.”