Rail fare reform: Government recognises rail fare and ticketing challenges highlighted in Built Environment Committee’s recommendations

The Government has responded to the Lords Built Environment Committee’s recommendations for rail fare reform following its inquiry into the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail.

In response the Committee’s Chair, Baroness Neville-Rolfe DBE CMG, said:

“We are pleased to see that the Government’s timely response agrees with many of our recommendations on rail fares and ticketing reform. We welcome the £360 million investment to reform fares, ticketing and retailing on the railways.

“The Government has confirmed it will roll out digital ticketing across the whole network, extend contactless pay-as-you-go ticketing to 700 stations across the North and Midlands, which will be important for the levelling up agenda, and encourage ticketing innovation through independent retailers.

“We were also pleased to see that work is being carried out to integrate contactless payments with digital barcode tickets, improve mobile connectivity across the railways, and replace or upgrade 80% of ticket vending machines. We were clear that the Government needs to take these steps to improve fares and ticketing after the pandemic.

“In its response to the Committee’s letter, the Government also endorses single-leg pricing and agrees with the Committee that split ticketing can contribute to the ‘erosion of passenger trust’.

“Most of the Government’s response is good news for rail passengers. However, the Government fails to recognise that the current flexible season ticket provision is unsatisfactory.” 

Background

1. Read the Government’s response to the Committee’s recommendations for fares reform.
2. Read the Committee’s letter to the Government which makes recommendations for fares reform following the Committee's inquiry into fares reform in the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail.