UK rail journeys no longer covered by Interrail scheme - McDonald responds

Andy McDonald MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, responding to the Rail Delivery’s Group announcement that UK rail journeys will no longer be part of the Interrail scheme, said:

“This decision taken by the Rail Delivery Group is deeply irresponsible.

We are in the middle of a climate crisis and have just 11 years to drastically reduce emissions to avoid catastrophe. We should be making it easier for people to travel between countries by rail, not encouraging flying by making rail travel more expensive and difficult.

This move will also discourage tourists from travelling beyond London when they reach the UK, worsening regional inequalities.

At this crucial political juncture, we should not be closing ourselves off from our European neighbours further by creating extra and unnecessary difficulties when travelling across countries.

The privatised rail industry is demonstrating once again that it is unable to provide the services that passengers want and the environment needs.”