Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure value for money for rail commuters.

In November 2017, the Department published the Strategic Vision for Rail, setting out the Government’s future intention for the industry. This strategy sets out how Government intends to drive efficiencies improving value for money for passengers. This includes technological advancements. Whilst fares revenue is crucial to funding day-to-day railway operations and the extensive upgrade program we are delivering, all of which benefit passengers, the Government recognises the serious concerns consumers have around the cost of rail fares and that is why we have frozen regulated fares in real terms for the past five years. The Government also recognises that rail costs need to be sustainable and value for money. That is why we are expecting industry to develop credible plans to tackle inflationary pressures and deliver the efficiencies needed so that any fare increases are sustainable.