TransPennine Express says it is introducing a number of changes to improve its service following a meeting in which I conveyed the extreme frustration felt by many of my constituents since new timetables were introduced in May. People using the services between York and Scarborough via Malton and Seamer have been subjected to delays and cancellations on a regular basis.
TransPennine Express has pledged to change the schedules of its drivers to reduce the circumstances where trains need to be terminated prior to arriving in Scarborough; it has promised to ensure, wherever possible, to advise passengers prior to their departure from York if a train does need to be terminated at Malton so that they can remain in York if they so wish; it says it is working with LNER to ensure that communications at York for passengers during disruption is improved, providing clear advice, guidance and information; and arrangements are being made to allow eligible season ticket holders to claim compensation in addition to the Delay Repay process.
TransPennine Express has apologised for the disruption and stressed that it has largely been caused by the unprecedented disruption to its services by other operators, congestion at major stations and the performance of the rail infrastructure across the North. However, my Parliamentary colleague, Scarborough & Whitby MP Robert Goodwill and I have made it clear that this is little comfort to our constituents who are regularly inconvenienced and, in some cases, unable to get to work or other important appointments. We have urged them to continue to work closely with Northern and Network rail to ensure that there is a significant improvement to services as soon as possible.
We have also met with the Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling, who has said he will look into what can be done to improve the experience of passengers travelling from York to Scarborough and what can be done to compensate passengers for delayed or cancelled trains.