Grand Central - Free First Class Pass for MPs

[Masbroughlad]

There has been a furore on the local telly news tonight.... Apparently 17 MPs have been given free first class travel passes to London with Grand Central.

Trying to say that as the MPs influence rail decisions, it could be seen as a way to gain favour..... The MPs say it saves the tax payer money.

Who is right? Is anybody? Are GC being canny?

I personally think it is up to GC who they give tickets to and its a non-story. :roll: (Although I do think the passes should be for Parliamentary business only, NOT personal use).

 

[WestCoast]

Well since Grand Central is wholly commercial Open Access Operator (which a lot of "normals" won't really understand), they can take whatever commercial route they want.

However, giving free passes to the MPs won't exactly give good publicity to the firm, however it will save tax payers money. If you believe that any publicity is good, then it's a win-win situation.

I have never been a huge fan of GC anyway, never really saw the fuss about them. Their onboard service is nothing spectacular IMHO. My worst delays (plus a cancellation) have been with them, and their delay repay is practically non-existent. Wasn't really impressed with the customer relations either.

 

[shedman]

I saw something on this as well. Personally it's not something that bothers me but I think it's a very clever PR stunt by GC. It's got them on the tv and in the papers as well as people talking about them but also it could do them favours politically now, kind of like a golden carrott!

 

[PinzaC55]

Well deserved. We all love our MP's who are a hard working and underpaid bunch of people.




Sorry, I just threw up.

 

[142094]

I'd be happier if Grand Central were to give free tickets to something more deserving - or raffle them for charity.

 

[telstarbox]

See also this story in the Sun

 

[BOSCH]

Total non story,as per usual !!!

 

[Minilad]

Let's hope the said MPs are not still claiming any travel allowances

 

[tbtc]

Its effective free publicity for GC, but I think that certain MPs are in enough trouble already for taking "freebies" from private companies...

 

[TEW]

I'd be happier if Grand Central were to give free tickets to something more deserving - or raffle them for charity.

I'm not sure if other TOC's do it but FGW give complimentary First Class tickets for their network away as prizes for charity raffles and such stuff.

 

[WestCoast]

Its effective free publicity for GC, but I think that certain MPs are in enough trouble already for taking "freebies" from private companies...

A very good point.

It was perhaps a difficult time for them to do this though with all the scandal. Unless they have been taking lessons from the king of free publicity, a certain Irishman airline CEO, who has spouted all sorts of negative things to get in the papers!

 

[David Dunning]

Total non story,as per usual !!!

I have had a look at the message boards of media outlets that are carrying this story. It has got a lot of people very angry.
Some people on this forum are dead against "open access" . So imagine if parliament tried to end it. How would these MPs vote if they have been enjoying free travel.
So I would suggest that it isn't a non story , it's a political hot potato

 

[daikilo]

See also this story in the Sun

So, we elect around 650 of them as the best we can choose from to run our country, then we tell them that although say 15-20% of seats on most longer-distance routes to London are First Class, they don't qualify?

It's not like they will all board the same train to go to work! Although our railways are now pseudo-private, why not introduce a personal all-lines unlimitted season for our MPs (and Lords) or a voucher system for free travel if their oversight body has the jitters about the odd "non-business" trip?

 

[KingBBoogaloo]

MPs getting free travel is nothing new, but the fact its making the news is.

While MPs have to declare such 'gifts' it is normally 'kept quiet', only those who care to look at the MPs' Register of Interests, would have noticed it.

For example:-

Linda Riordan - Labour MP for Halifax
Gifts, benefits and hospitality (UK)
Name of donor: Grand Central Railway Company Ltd
Address of donor : River House, 17 Museum Street, York YO1 7DJ
Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: complimentary first class pass valid for travel on Grand Central Services, expiry 31 December 2011. The value of the pass is approximately £4,000.

Anne McIntosh - Conservative MP for Thirsk and Malton
Gifts, benefits and hospitality (UK)
Name of donor: Grand Central Railway Company Ltd
Address of donor: River House, 17 Museum Street, York YO1 7DJ.
Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: complimentary first class travel pass, expiry date 31 December 2011. Estimated value: £5,000 per year.


Please note there is no record of either of them receiving anything from any other train operator which some would argue compromises them when it comes to any dealings they would have with the railways.

For once, in my opinion, a good bit of journalism.

 

[Masbroughlad]

JUst been on the late bulletin. The reporter said that it could be a problem because Grand Central might bid for East Coast when it is re-let.....

Talk about making things up! Surely they won't? Or are they big enough to do so now?!

 

[KingBBoogaloo]

A quick scan of other MPs on the ECML and branches shows....

Iain Wright - Labour MP for Hartlepool
Gifts, benefits and hospitality (UK)
Name of donor: Grand Central Railway Company Ltd.
Address of donor : River House, 17 Museum Street, York, YO1 7DJ.
Amount of donation or nature and value if donation in kind: rail pass valid until 31 December 2011. Used for parliamentary travel only. Value: approximately £1800.

Obviously at that price, GC think he's only worth a 2nd class pass.

But on a serious note, it appears that its only Grand Central up to these tricks.

 

[OMGitsDAVE]

Nah, Ian Wright has a first-class ticket but for Parliamentary purposes only, other MPs have passes for leisure travel.

 

[David Dunning]

MPs getting free travel is nothing new, but the fact its making the news is.

While MPs have to declare such 'gifts' it is normally 'kept quiet', only those who care to look at the MPs' Register of Interests, would have noticed it.

Please note there is no record of either of them receiving anything from any other train operator which some would argue compromises them when it comes to any dealings they would have with the railways.

For once, in my opinion, a good bit of journalism.

It's an interesting story . A free rail pass that covers East Coast AND Grand Central would be a different matter. And given the nature of the job would not be unreasonable seeing as the trains are full of people in first who don't pay their own fare . it's the fact that its one company which competes against another that makes this interesting and a POSSIBLE conflict of interests .

 

[KingBBoogaloo]

Indeed. It would be interesting to see if this kind of 'hospitality' extends to Counsellors on the route.

 

[David Dunning]

Indeed. It would be interesting to see if this kind of 'hospitality' extends to Counsellors on the route.

I should declare at this point my free ride with GC . Thirsk to York on opening day but I was filming for for the York Press website at the time lol

 

[185]

St James Saville used to have an all lines pass as he technically did work for BR.

 

[tynesider]

But on a serious note, it appears that its only Grand Central up to these tricks.

What exactly do you mean by 'tricks'?

 

[Darandio]

What exactly do you mean by 'tricks'?

I am a bit confused as well by that.

Grand Central are open access, do not receive subsidy from the government and can choose to give free travel to whoever they choose.

Despite everyone thinking it is their business to think they shouldn't be doing it, it really isn't any of their business!

 

[Tracky]

If the GC service failed would EC allow travel or would holders of such passes not be covered.

 

[Tomonthetrain]

At least said MPs don't have to sponge off the taxpayer for parliamentary travel

 

[WestCoast]

If the GC service failed would EC allow travel or would holders of such passes not be covered.

Interesting question, but I assume there is now a commercial agreement between GC and EC to allow this to happen, as with regular "GC Only" ticket holders.

 

[bnm]

Ahh, nice to see the Redcaps getting a little reward for the difficult job they do, but why not other service personnel?

Or have I misunderstood?

 

[DarloRich]

I don’t really have a problem with this as long as the MP's in question are not claiming anything for their travel. (Other than for reasonable refreshments etc) It looks like a good way to save tax payers money. I wonder how many people on here, in the same position, and offered a free pass would turn it down? Not many I guess.

After all there are 650 MP's. As far as I can see the following would be "entitled" to use a GC service ):

Sunderland Route:

1) South Shields - David Miliband (Labour)
2) Jarrow - Stephen Hepburn (Labour)
3)Washington and Sunderland West - Sharon Hodgson (Labour)
4) Sunderland Central - Julie Elliott (Labour)
5) Houghton and Sunderland South - Bridget Phillipson (Labour)
6) Durham North - Kevan Jones (Labour)
7) City of Durham - Roberta Blackman-Woods (Labour)
8) Easington - Grahame Morris (Labour)
9) Hartlepool - Iain Wright (Labour)
10) Stockton North - Alex Cunningham (Labour)
11) Sedgefield - Phil Wilson (Labour)
12) Middlesbrough - Sir Stuart Bell (Labour)
13) Redcar - Ian Swales (Liberal Democrat)
14) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland - Tom Blenkinsop (Labour)
15) Stockton South - James Wharton (Conservative)
16) Darlington - Jenny Chapman (Labour)
17) Richmond (North Yorks) - William Hague (Conservative)
18) Thirsk and Malton - Anne McIntosh (Conservative)
19) Skipton and Ripon - Julian Smith (Conservative)
20) Harrogate and Knaresborough - Andrew Jones (Conservative)
21) Selby and Ainsty - Nigel Adams (Conservative)
22) York Central - Hugh Bayley (Labour)
23) York Outer - Julian Sturdy (Conservative)

Bradford Route:

1) Shipley - Philip Davies (Conservative)
2) Pudsey - Stuart Andrew (Conservative)
3) Bradford East - David Ward (Liberal Democrat)
4) Bradford West - Marsha Singh (Labour)
5) Bradford South - Gerry Sutcliffe (Labour)
6) Halifax - Linda Riordan (Labour Co-op)
8) Calder Valley - Craig Whittaker (Conservative)
9) Batley & Spen - Mike Wood (Labour)
10) Morley and Outwood - Ed Balls (Labour)
11) Huddersfield - Barry Sheerman (Labour Co-op)
12)Dewsbury - Simon Reevell (Conservative)
13) Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford - Yvette Cooper (Labour)
14) Wakefield - Mary Creagh (Labour)
15) Hemsworth - Jon Trickett (Labour)
16) Penistone and Stocksbridge - Angela Smith (Labour)
17) Barnsley Central - Dan Jarvis (Labour)
18) Barnsley East- Michael Dugher (Labour)
19) Wentworth and Dearne - John Healey (Labour)
20) Doncaster North - Ed Miliband (Labour)
21) Doncaster Central - Rosie Winterton (Labour)
22) Don Valley - Caroline Flint (Labour)

So that gives a good number of MPs (45) to call on if you ever need any representation! but that is still only c.6.9% of the MP's available and only one of those is a minister ( although there are several shadow minister and the leader of the opposition)

 

[Tracky]

I don't have a problem with it. GC can do as they wish.

That said, they are giving something away. They must expect somthing in return otherwise why would they do it.

 

[WestCoast]

That said, they are giving something away. They must expect somthing in return otherwise why would they do it.

Well apart from media publicity , which is effectively free advertising for the firm, I hope government favours are not involved, but who knows?