Railways: Season Tickets

(asked on 8th February 2021) - View Source

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answers of 11 January 2021 and 24 November 2020 to Questions 131241 and 115584 respectively, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on a policy response to the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on people’s travel patterns and the need to accommodate a more flexible style of working and commuting; what assessment he has made of (a) the commercial effect of a ticketing system that offers increased value and convenience for people who commute on a part-time or flexible basis and (b) the cost to the Treasury of introducing flexible ticketing for all rail users; and if he will make a statement.


Answered by
Kemi Badenoch Portrait
Kemi Badenoch
President of the Board of Trade
This question was answered on 11th February 2021

The Government recognises the need to accommodate a more flexible style of working and commuting. Passenger demand has fallen dramatically over the last year and its recovery is uncertain. Due to this and a potential shift in passenger behaviour, rail income in the future is also uncertain. Any flexible season ticket products will aim to encourage and support passengers returning to the railway when it is safe to do so. HM Treasury has been engaged by the Department for Transport on this issue. The Department for Transport are working closely with industry to develop a solution and will provide further details in due course.

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