Train overcrowding concerns raised

Date: 6/4/2010

Transport authorities have called on the government to speed up the promise to provide more train carriages to beat overcrowding on the nation's trains, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority (GMITA) which provides grants to allow implementation of transport policy in the Greater Manchester area has already requested more carriages for the region. Now five more transport authorities, including Yorkshire and Merseyside groups, have joined Greater Manchester and targeted Transport Secretary Lord Adonis.

The Department of Transport (DfT) has promised more carriages to both Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire, according to local press. However authorities are concerned that these targets are not being met.

Mick Jameson, chairman of South Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority (SYITA) told the Yorkshire Post he was "concerned by the lack of any clear plan to procure necessary rolling stock" after the number of new carriages promised to Northern Rail was halved.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Keith Whitmore, GMITA chairman said: "The six major transport cities are now coming together in a campaign trying to bring the case for these extra carriages."