Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 24 March 2014, Official Report, column 6W, what the outcome was of the competition inviting bids from train operators in the South East of England to run a pilot project of flexible ticketing; and if he will make a statement.

Positive expressions of interest in the trial of flexible ticketing have been received from c2c, Chiltern Railways, Stagecoach (for South West Trains), Abellio Greater Anglia and Go-Ahead Group (for Southeastern and GTR/Southern) and we are preparing responses to them. It is anticipated that the trial will develop evidence that will enable the train operators to make business decisions on the implementation of flexible smart tickets, such as carnets. We will work closely with these operators in the trial to find ways to develop products that are both commercially sustainable and are attractive to passengers.