By Uncertain future for Hull Trains
Two Yorkshire MPs have written to the Rail Minister calling for urgent help for Hull Trains, amid fears over the future of the firm.
Because Hull Trains is an open access operator, rather than a franchise, it was unable to apply for government funding as early in the coronavirus pandemic as other train operators.
As a result, services were suspended, and staff furloughed.
First Group, which owns Hull Trains, says it will resume services when it’s commercially viable.
In their letter to the rail minister, Diana Johnson, Labour MP for Hull North, and David Davis, Conservative MP for Howden and Haltemprice, say the company faces an uncertain future.
They say they fear without government support, the firm’s services could be permanently lost.
Diana Johnson added:
“They cannot restart their services and meet the social distancing requirements without the government providing some assistance – which they have already done for franchised rail operators.”
The Department for Transport says it’s working closely with Hull Trains to discuss the level of support available.
It claims that it is keen to see Hull Trains return to the network as soon as conditions permit.
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