Asked by: Jo Gideon (Conservative - Stoke-on-Trent Central)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of reforming the regulations governing rail fares to reflect changes in working patterns.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Government recognises the impact of Covid-19 on people’s travel patterns and therefore the need to accommodate a more flexible style of working and commuting.
The Department has proactively approached the rail industry and is currently considering proposals received from train operators that try to ensure better value and convenience for travellers, but these are unprecedented times and our immediate focus must be on ensuring that we keep the railway available and safe for those who need to rely upon it.