Northern and LNER Covid19 response queries

Department for Transport did not have the information requested.

Glynn Magheramorne

Dear Department for Transport,

Can you detail any relevant correspondence between yourselves and either Northern Rail / LNER regarding the following matters related to the Covid 19 response please:

- The procurement of seat coverings by Northern, showing seats not in use.
- The decision by LNER to close toilet facilities at major stations, which resulted in no handwashing facilities, denying passengers the ability to comply with Government guidance to wash hands regularly
- The decision by LNER to make their trains reservation compulsory; in particular any information regarding an end date or reviews scheduled to take place, and confirmation that this change is only temporary.

If no information is held, it will be assumed that these companies did not consult with DfT and made these decisions unilaterally.

Yours faithfully,

Glynn Magheramorne

FOI-ADVICE-TEAM-DFT, Department for Transport

Dear Mr Magheramorne,

I am writing to acknowledge receipt of your request for information which has been allocated reference number P0018569.

A response will be issued to you in due course.

Regards,

Ivan Pocock
Information Rights Adviser, Information Rights (Data Protection and FOI) Team, Governance Division, Group Assurance and Digital Directorate

Department for Transport
D/04, Ashdown House
Sedlescombe Road North,
St Leonards on Sea, TN37 7GA

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Rail-franchise-correspondence, Department for Transport

17 Attachments

Dear Mr Magheramorne,

 

Please find attached a response to your Freedom of Information request.

 

Kind regards,

 

Steve Burton  | Senior Correspondence Manager, Department for Transport
2/14 |   
Post to: Great Minster Hse, 33 Horseferry Rd, London, SW1P 4DR  

 

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Glynn Magheramorne

Dear Rail-franchise-correspondence,

Many thanks for your response.

You stated:

"The Department permitted certain operators to implement mandatory reservation requirements during the COVID-19 outbreak as a way of managing social distancing on board their trains. There are particular benefits to this over alternative approaches for long distance operators, because it can help to prevent queues from forming at stations, it protects the ability to travel for passengers at intermediate stations, and it can enable passengers to plan ahead effectively by being certain of which trains they will be able to use. It is a temporary measure which will be subject to review every two months"

As LNER implemented this for journeys made from 18 May onwards, the first review was due on 18 July. I am therefore requesting a copy of this review, as applicable to any relevant operators who have been granted permission to enforce mandatory reservations.

I am also keen to learn if the review includes consulting any relevant organisations such as Transport Focus, London Travelwatch etc; also I am keen to see if the review takes into account the fact that many trains are "Sold out" in Standard Class, thus forcing passengers to purchase expensive First Class tickets.

Yours sincerely,

Glynn Magheramorne

Department for Transport

Dear Mr Magheramorne,

I am writing to acknowledge receipt of your request for information which
has been allocated reference number P0018800.

A response will be issued to you in due course.

Regards,

Ivan Pocock
Department for Transport
FOI Advice Team
Governance Division
Zone D/04
Ashdown House
Sedlescombe Road North
St Leonards on Sea
East Sussex
TN37 7GA

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Rail-franchise-correspondence, Department for Transport

1 Attachment

Dear Mr Magheramorne,

 

Please find attached a response to your Freedom of Information request.

 

Kind regards,

 

Steve Burton  | Senior Correspondence Manager, Department for Transport
2/14 |   
Post to: Great Minster Hse, 33 Horseferry Rd, London, SW1P 4DR  

 

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Glynn Magheramorne left an annotation ()

An abysmal reply, which distorts the truth and ducks the issues.

This demonstrates the utter contempt these organisations have for passengers.