Local businesses are being invited to take part in the Department for Transport’s (DFT) consultation on the future shape, service pattern and customer service offer of the Cross Country franchise.
The franchise, currently operated by Arriva, expires in December 2019, although the DfT may consider extending it for a further year.
The key themes of the DfT’s consultation process include:
- Overcrowding on existing Cross Country services
- The shape of the Cross Country network – considering how the franchise adapts to economic and population growth and demographic change
- Customer Experience – seeking ways of enabling Cross Country services to meet the requirements of modern passengers, continually making it easier to use rail services.
Worcestershire LEP is working together with Worcestershire County Council to provide a strong business case for greater connectivity in the region, and highlighting the positive impact that this would have on connected regional economies.
The consultation process runs until 30 August 2018 and can be viewed on the gov.uk website here. To add your support to Worcestershire LEP’s response, email enquiries@wlep.co.uk