There have now been countless delays and cancellations of London Midland services in the West Midlands because of driver shortages. Today alone more than 60 scheduled train services have been cancelled or altered.
Why has London Midland suddenly found themselves in the position of not having enough drivers? All companies experience turnover of staff but presumably that should be planned for.
For my constituents it is not just the delays and cancellations that are causing concern, it is also the cuts to ticket office opening hours and the lack of long-term thinking about plans for Longbridge train station – as part of the wider redevelopment of the former MG Rover site – and the future of transport in the area.
Does this lack of long-term thinking and planning have something to do with the fact that their franchise is due to end in 2015? There are certainly important questions that both London Midland and the Transport Secretary must urgently address.
- Richard raised this with the Transport Secretary in the House of Commons last week – online here.
- Richard also yesterday tabled a further parliamentary question to the Transport Secretary about the cancelled train services.
