Chamber backing Hull MPs' bid to secure financial support for Hull Trains

One of Hull Trains' new Paragon Fleet which now can't operate without Government support.

THE Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce is backing a campaign by Hull MPs to secure funding for the city's favourite train company, Hull Trains.

Dame Diana Johnson, Emma Hardy and Karl Turner have written to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps to appeal for financial support for the train company which has recently spent £60-million on its new Paragon Fleet of bi-mode trains. Help has already by provided for the franchised rail operators, but the same support has not been put in place for Open Access Operators like Hull Trains and Grand Central.

The Chamber helped to create Hull Trains which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and the company has representatives on the Chamber's main Council, as well as its Shipping & Transport Committee.

On the day rail services began to restart with limited timetables and social distancing measures in place, the Hull MPs say Hull Trains cannot do this without Government help.

The Government has agreed a financial package for franchised operators which shares the commercial risk - with far less people travelling - or able to travel - than pre-coronavirus levels which will result in a big drop in revenues, but with the same rolling stock required to operate services.

Hull Trains relies purely on fairs to sustain its business. Dame Diana Johnson (Hull North), Emma Hardy (Hull West and Hessle) and Karl Turner (Hull East) have made the representations in an open letter sent today.  It follows a request to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in March, followed up with Mr Shapps by Hull City Council in April.

They warned that should Hull Trains not emerge from the crisis, it would leave the city with a single daily weekday service to London which would put 130 direct jobs at risk and lead to wider regional damage.

Other regional MPs have been copied in to the joint letter. They are now awaiting a response from Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.