Passengers’ Council (Non-Railway Functions) Order 2010

I thank the Minister for introducing this order, which seems to provide a sensible extension of the role of the Rail Passengers Council to cover bus and tram services. As the Minister said, the feedback to the consultation has indicated that there were concerns about the lack of a nationally recognised body to represent the interests of passengers on these and other modes of transport. Questions arise from the extension of the remit, and from the amount of additional work that the council will be expected to undertake. The order enables the board of the Rail Passengers Council to be increased from the current 12 to 14 for the new Passenger Focus. What will be the role of the members of the board? Will any of the additional members represent one of the new additions to the council? Will the new members have a broad remit, or will they be confined to the areas that they represent, if indeed they do? Will this be simply a general increase in the number of board members? Will the Minister also indicate what additional costs he anticipates are likely to be incurred by Passenger Focus because of its extended remit? Will Passenger Focus require extra staff to undertake extra work? The Minister talked about research. Will there be a requirement for extra researchers? Has anybody looked at what additional costs are likely to be incurred, and if so, what is the estimate of the amount that will be required? The Minister touched on investigations. I would like to find out a little more about the investigations that can be undertaken, and about what happens as a result of them. As I understand it, Passenger Focus will not by itself be able to bring penalties or recommendations directly to those who are being complained about. The Minister said that either the traffic commissioner or the bus operators would have to decide whether to accept the recommendations. Is that too limited? Will Passenger Focus be able to impose sufficient sanctions as a result of its investigations? Will it have the bite that is needed to ensure that this is recognised as a proper process for the whole transport system? I return to the issue of funding. Will the Minister tell us who currently funds the Rail Passengers Council, and who will fund the new body? When I have the answers to those questions, we will be content with the order, and I thank the Minister for presenting it.