WEST Derbyshire MP Patrick McLoughlin has called on train bosses to explain alleged overcrowding on their new hourly Matlock rail services.
In a statement this week, Mr McLoughlin welcomed
East Midlands Trains' extended services to Nottingham and Derby, but said there were problems with trains being too full.
Mr McLoughlin said: "There've been some complaints about overcrowding and of the service not having enough carriages to carry all the passengers seated or standing.
"I've asked East Midlands Trains to look into this problem. In particular whether they believe this overcrowding to be temporary, perhaps due to the Christmas period."
Mr McLoughlin said he was disappointed as the Nottingham and Derby services were "vitally important" to rail passengers.
He said: "If they (East Midlands Trains) share my concerns, I want to know how they plan to address them.
"A lot of people in Derbyshire use this line for both work and recreational purposes, and it is vitally important the service runs well," he added.
But East Midlands Trains denied Mr McLoughlin had been in contact.
And it said its new hourly trains to Nottingham and Derby had improved the service to customers.
A company spokeswoman said: "He hasn't actually spoken to us and we are not aware of any overcrowding. There are seats available.
"We don't have any additional spare trains or spare units to put more on the line, but as far as we are aware there's not a specific overcrowding issue.
"We have already strengthened it and we're very pleased to be able to extend the service in Derbyshire. We think we have improved it," she added.
Patrick McLoughlin's Westminster spokesman said a letter had been sent to
East Midlands Trains last week.
The spokesman said: "They probably haven't received it yet which can happen when we write to these huge organisations.
"We have had complaints from constituents – quite a few in fact – with a number of letters and emails regarding this matter," he added.
Trains to Matlock have been halted this week due to work on the Derwent Valley Line. Weekend passengers had to catch a replacement bus service from Duffield and since Monday the line has been closed between Matlock and Matlock Bath.
