Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, announces inquiry into the failed implementation of new rail timetables and a compensation scheme for those who have been affected by it.
Mr Grayling has identified that there have been some ‘major failures’ and has raised an inquiry to investigate the causes of this issue.
Tory Backbencher Sir Nicholas Soames said that Grayling had failed to perform his duty as transport secretary.
The Labour Party shared the same opinion and even went on to say that he should resign from his post.
This crisis was caused by a great deal of delays and cancellations in some networks, especially in the North of England. People have claimed that due to poor timetabling, they have not been able to make it to work on time for months on end.
Conservative MP Nadine Dorries suggested that season ticket holders should receive free rail travel for 6 months as compensation.
However, Grayling has suggested a compensation scheme which will be covered by the rail industry to offer a suitable solution to its affected customers.
“Isn’t the reality that this secretary of state has been asleep at the wheel and this is just the latest episode in a series of rail management failures on his watch?
He is determined to cling to the micromanagement of the railway when it suits him but he will quickly point the finger of blame when things go wrong. He cannot have it both ways” said shadow transport secretary Andy McDonald, in reference to Garyling’s blame shifting.
Later on today, Grayling apologised to the House of Commons for what had happened and stated that there was an easy solution to this problem.
“These problems can only be fixed by Network Rail and the train operators methodically working through the timetable and replanning train paths and driver resourcing to deliver a more reliable service” said Grayling.
However, he did not announce a clear and concise solution to the problem.
