Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Bosworth, has launched a campaign for a move to simpler rail fares to help in making using the train a more attractive option to occasional passengers.
Dr Luke, who has been contacted by several constituents highlighting the complexity of ticketing options, raised the issue in the Chamber of the House of Commons asking the Minister of State, Chris Heaton-Harris MP, to take steps to make booking train tickets easier.
Dr Luke asked “Many of my constituents in Hinckley and Bosworth are often confused and frustrated by the ticketing system that we have in this country; and, no doubt, many people in the country are too. I wonder if he (the Minister) would agree with me that simplifying rail tickets away from splitting fares, super off-peak and off-peak tickets, may well make things better and make people more likely to consider travelling by rail?”
Hinckley and Bosworth sits between two main lines, the Midland Main Line runs to the east of the constituency, the West Coast Main Line runs to the west.
Dr Luke commented “Rail users in my constituency are fortunate to benefit from great rail connectivity but the choice of tickets can be daunting, especially for occasional rail users.
“If we want rail to become the default option, especially for people planning longer domestic journeys, then we must have a system that is easy to understand and accessible.
“In constituencies like mine, and hundreds more across the country, for thousands of residents rail is often a poor second best to jumping in the car. To change behaviour people must understand that they can access the cheapest fare for their needs; to deliver that change we have to make the system simpler. I’m pleased that the Minister indicated that this important point would be taken on board.”
The Campaign for Better Transport, a leading advocacy group which promotes policies for better bus and rail services, agrees. Chief Executive, Darren Shirley said “The railway is at the heart of many communities connecting people to jobs, education, public services and their friends and family. But rail passengers are tired of confusing fares and paying over the odds. It’s time for a complete overhaul of the fares system and a fairer way to calculate future levels. Only total reform of the rail fares system can start to restore passengers’ faith and make rail the first choice for more people. As part of its forthcoming White Paper the Government must fully reform rail fares which must lead to fairer, simpler, and better value fares for passengers.”
According to Department for Transport research only 25% of rail users said that they ‘fully understood’ the range of tickets available.
