Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of (a) the results of Germany's recent rail ticket subsidy scheme and (b) the potential merits of applying a similar approach to public transport in the United Kingdom.

In considering any new rail fare discounts, the Government would need to carefully consider the potential benefits to passengers, costs to taxpayers and impact on the operation of the railway.

On 3 September, the Government announced plans to provide up to £60 million to help bus operators cap single fares on most services in England, outside London, at £2 per journey. The fare cap will run for three months from January to March 2023 and could help millions save on travel costs.