Go-Ahead compensates disrupted London Midland passengers

The government has announced that rail passengers disrupted by cancellations and delays last year on the London Midland line will get a seven million-pound package of benefits.

Rail passengers who suffered disruptions last year will receive free travel passes and cheap tickets "thanks to tough action taken by the government", Transport Minister Norman Baker announced on Thursday.

After months of consultation with the Department for Transport, London Midland operator Go-Ahead has agreed on a £7m package of benefits.

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"London Midland has cancelled or delayed hundreds of services in recent months. On repeated occasions, they were not able to provide enough drivers and some services had to be cancelled, with severe delays to services, and they have fallen short both of everyone's expectations and their franchise obligations," Baker said.

"Securing these benefits for passengers represents a firm yellow-card for London Midland and some financial benefit for those who have been hardest hit by their poor performance."

Go-Ahead said in a statement: "We acknowledge the impact that this has had on our passengers and we have now put measures in place to ensure we have sufficient drivers to operate our services.

"We also welcome the confirmation that the London Midland franchise has been extended until September 2015 which gives us the opportunity to provide longer term investment in our services for the passengers' benefit."