236.Section 227 renames the Central Rail Users’ Consultative Committee as the Rail Passengers’ Council and renames the Rail Users’ Consultative Committees as the Rail Passengers’ Committees. Schedule 22 makes consequential amendments to legislative references.
237.Section 228 extends the functions of the renamed bodies. These will be extended to passenger services which are not provided under a franchise agreement. New duties include keeping under review matters affecting the interests of the public in relation to the passenger railway, making representations to an consulting such persons as they think appropriate and co-operating with other bodies representing public transport users. This might, for example, mean co-operating with a bus users’ group. The Secretary of State may exempt certain services from their remit or modify the ways in which the new provisions apply.
238.Schedule 23 makes new financial and procedural provisions for the bodies. This includes their financial relationship with the Authority.
Commentary on Sections Part IV: Railways Chapter Ii: Other Provisions about Railways Sections 227 to 229: Consultative Committees