With the announcement that First Trenitalia will be taking over the Pendolino franchise from Virgin Trains, Michael Fabricant sought assurances from the Department of Transport that services will be maintained.

Question:
Michael Fabricant MP

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the effect of the change to train services at Lichfield Trent Valley (LTV) rail station after the award of the West Coast Main Line rail franchise to First Trenitalia on (a) timetabling, (b) passenger comfort and (c) capacity; and if he will make a statement. (284977)

Tabled on: 02 September 2019

Answer:
Chris Heaton-Harris MP (Rail Minister):

“The West Coast Partnership operator will introduce brand new trains to replace the Voyager fleet and the Pendolino fleet will be fully refurbished, improving reliability, WIFI connectivity, luggage space and information systems. The introduction of new trains will also increase the number of seats available for passengers across the route, including from Lichfield Trent Valley. At least the same number of West Coast services will call at Lichfield Train Valley as today.”

Michael now comments:  “I will seek to see even more Pendolino services from Lichfield and welcome the news that the existing Pendolino fleet will be refurbished.  Combined with the new trains that will be becoming available from London Northwestern trains, this is good news for commuters.”