Three MPs met with a minister to discuss the future of Govia Thameslink and improvements to passenger services.

St Albans MP Anne Main, Hitchin and Harpenden MP Bim Afolami and Hertsmere MP Oliver Dowden came together to meet rail minister Paul Maynard, to discuss improvements needed to Govia Thameslink services in their constituencies.

The meeting came as Transport Secretary Chris Grayling announced the government's plans to focus on passengers, economies and communities they serve, which will represent the biggest change in the delivery of rail services since privatisation.

Mrs Main said: "Constituents contact me with the problems that they face on their daily commute.

"Recent improvements to the service are of course welcome, but the minister needs to focus on maintaining and improving those standards.

"I do believe there is a drive from the minister and department to provide better value-for-money and be much more customer-focused."

According to Mrs Main, Mr Maynard said passengers should not have to be proactive in finding out the cause for delays and assured her the government would continue to work towards improving communications between Network Rail, Thameslink and passengers, and the department would look to improve the communication of drivers with passengers when delays occur whilst passengers are in transit.

Mrs Main added: "I was pleased with the minister’s responses to the questions we put to him.

"It is clear that the department is working hard with all stakeholders to improve the service for the high-paying commuters in St Albans. I will continue to push for better passenger services."

Other measures Mr Maynard discussed included working towards incorporating contactless payments for passengers at St Albans into the TFL network.