Railways: Fares

(asked on 16th July 2026) - View Source

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress has been made on simplifying the rail fares and ticketing system.


Answered by
Keir Mather Portrait
Keir Mather
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
This question was answered on 2nd September 2026

We are already taking steps to simplify the rail fares and ticketing system and to make it easier for passengers to trust they are buying the right ticket at the right fare. The move to GBR will enable passengers to receive a more consistent offer across the network, supporting simpler fares, ticketing and retail arrangements. GBR's online retailer will bring together 14 existing websites and apps to one site to deliver a simpler, more consistent service across the country.

We are also taking forward long-distance fares reform. The LNER ‘Simpler Fares’ trial has introduced more flexible products for passengers, making it easier to choose cheaper, less busy trains, putting passenger choice first and tackling overcrowding.

The expansion of Pay As You Go (PAYG) means that more passengers can now access tap in tap out contactless payments, creating a seamless travel experience and allowing people to benefit from daily and weekly caps. We are also trialling new technology including Digital Pay As You Go (DPAYG).

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