ONE SEEKS COMPENSATION FOR FALL IN PASSENGERS SINCE BOMBS

EAST Anglia train operator one is seeking substantial compensation for a drop in passengers making leisure journeys following the London terrorist attacks last July, according to a regional newspaper.

The Eastern Daily Press reported that papers released by the Department for Transport (DfT) under the Freedom of Information Act stated: “The DfT has been in communication with the 'one' franchise over revenue levels following the terrorist attacks in London on July 7, 2005.

“Since July, the company has experienced a drop in revenue, particularly in the off-peak and leisure markets.”

The documents add: “The franchise agreement contains provisions to deal with such events and we are in negotiations with the franchisee [one] to find an appropriate resolution to this downturn . . . we are still assessing (a) whether we accept the claim and (b) if accepted, what the agreed value will be.”

Christian Wolmar, a commentator on transport issues, told the newspaper that he expected the claim from 'one' for government support to be a “seven-figure sum — serious money.”

“Train-operating companies are always quick to claim for any downside but they never pay off any upside,” Mr Wolmar said. “Also, why are these contracts kept secret — why are we not allowed to know?”

The newspaper said Jonathan Denby, 'one' corporate-affairs director, explained: “There was a significant impact on leisure travel, particularly for the first two months after the London attacks. What appeared to happen is that after the first attack on the 7th things began to recover within a couple of weeks of the initial shock.

“After the events of the 21st [a second wave of attempted attacks, which failed], it seemed to shake people's confidence much more and over the following two months — our peak period for leisure travel — there was a quite evident impact on discretionary [leisure] travel.”

The Eastern Daily Press said it had also learned that West Anglia Great Northern (WAGN) — which operates services from King's Lynn to King's Cross — is also trying to recover money from the Government.

WAGN's Mike Lamport said: “When the attacks happened we had more people using our train services at the London end of our patch because fewer people were using the Tube.

“We've calculated the additional costs of carrying those passengers and we have put those costs to the Department for Transport and asked them to consider any recompense for that.”

SOURCE RAILNEWS