PUBLIC TRANSPORT DURING CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS

That this House expresses its deep disappointment that once again during this festive season the UK's railways will undergo a 58 hour shutdown with no services whatsoever being provided on the overwhelming majority of lines; that in most areas there will be no buses running over a similar period; further notes that this is in stark contrast to the situation that prevails in the rest of Europe where regular services run throughout the Christmas holidays; applauds the efforts of Merseytravel, the West Midlands and Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authorities and Transport for London to run a decent level of bus services on Boxing Day and calls on other areas to follow suit; further notes that the closure of the rail and bus network leaves many people without access to transport to visit family or friends or attend sporting events; and calls on the Department for Transport, the Passenger Transport Authorities, the Association of Train Operating Companies and the Confederation of Passenger Transport to work together to ensure that from 2008 an adequate rail and bus service is provided on Boxing Day at least.