AN MP is demanding transport bosses do more to stop his constituents being packed on trains like cattle.
Shipley MP Philip Davies said the reduction on rolling stock on two Northern weekday services between Bradford Interchange and Leeds was unacceptable.
Mr Davies said: “Taking rolling stock away from my constituents and moving it down South to Chiltern Railways is outrageous. The North needs better transport links and funding not for our trains to be taken off us. Taking carriages of rush-hour services is utterly ridiculous.”
Mr Davies wrote to Transport Secretary Chris Grayling about the reduction following a report in the Bradford Telegraph and Argus, but was told decisions about moving stock are commercial.
The letter added: “The Government does not own trains and the decision to move them was a commercial one, made by their owner, Porterbrook Rail Leasing. The Government’s policy is to let the market decide where best to deploy available rolling stock.
“The railway throughout the country is more popular than ever before and both the Government and train operators are acutely aware of the need for increased capacity across the country. We are committed to delivering a better rail service for passengers in the North that will help make the Northern Powerhouse a reality.”
Northern say it added an extra service at 7.43am from Bradford Interchange to help ease the situation.
Mr Davies said: “What would help the situation is to get the carriages back and that is what I want to see happen.”
The DfT also told Mr Davies there would be an additional service between Bradford and Leeds in the morning peak operated by a Grand Central train.