Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve the affordability of train tickets in Britain.

The Government is reforming rail fares and ticketing to create a simpler and more consistent system so passengers can trust they are getting the right fare. This includes expanding Pay As You Go ticketing and trialling simpler fares. The Government is also taking steps to make rail travel more affordable through railcards, and has extended the 16–17 Saver so that, from August 2026, newly purchased railcards remain valid for a full year from the date of purchase, allowing more young people to continue benefiting from half-price rail travel after their 18th birthday.

In future, Great British Railways will set and manage individual fares within parameters set by the Secretary of State, helping passengers identify the right ticket for their journey while balancing affordability with the cost to taxpayers of supporting the railway. Existing statutory discount schemes, including those for younger, older and disabled passengers, will continue to be safeguarded.