Transport leaders call for more train carriages following rail overcrowding report

Transport leaders call for more train carriages

Greater Manchester transport leaders have responded to the Public Accounts Committee report on rail overcrowding with fresh calls for more train carriages in the region.

Councillor Ian Macdonald, Chairman of Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority, said: "Many of the Public Accounts Committee's findings come as no surprise to us here in Greater Manchester.

"We have long been pushing the Department for Transport to provide us with more rail carriages to ease the serious overcrowding on many of Greater Manchester's busiest commuter routes.

"Overall, Northern Rail is now carrying over one-third more passengers than it was when the franchise was let to them on a 'no-growth' basis.

"Longer rail franchises of around 10 years, which took into account clear projections of service demand and included appropriate performance checks, could allow train operators and the Department for Transport to address overcrowding much more effectively.

"In the meantime, we need extra carriages to address current, as well as future, increases in demand for rail travel. Too many commuters in Greater Manchester already suffer unacceptable overcrowding on poor quality rolling stock - which in turn discourages people from using the rail network to its full potential.

"We will continue to lobby the government to ensure that Greater Manchester sees the long-term rail investment it needs for the North West's economy to thrive and grow."