To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport whether the new South Central operator proposed targets for passenger satisfaction as part of its bid. (280377)

The South Central franchise specification required the operator to set targets based on National Passenger Survey results for trains, stations and customer service, split by groups of services—South London, Sussex and Coast and Gatwick Express. If these targets are not achieved the bidder is required to spend up to £0.5 million per annum to implement a plan to rectify any deficiencies.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what (a) enhancements and (b) investments stipulated in the South Central franchise will be funded by (i) the Government and (ii) Southern Trains; and how much each will cost. (280383)

The franchising process does not allow for the identification of individual sources of investment. Instead, it provides an overall price to Government of the package that is proposed by the bidder (either subsidy or in the case of South Central a £534 million premium). It is thus not possible to identify the individual investment costs being borne by the South Central operator or the Government.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport how much his Department plans to spend on staffing of new gating systems for the new South Central franchise; and how much Transport for London has agreed to spend to ensure stations on the new South Central franchise are staffed from first to last service on each operational day. (280385)

The Department for Transport is not funding the staffing of new gating systems on an individual basis. These plans form part of an overall franchise bid and it is not possible to disaggregate staffing costs to this level.

Transport for London will be contributing around £4 million to the franchise.