Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the difference between regulated commuter fares and unregulated intercity fares on passengers; and whether she plans to review that distinction.

In general, commuter fares such as season tickets and shorter-distance peak returns are regulated, alongside intercity off-peak returns. These are the fares that DfT currently controls, as part of an overly complex system that was designed 30 years ago and which currently does not make sense.

We are already taking important steps to address some of these challenges. Through the LNER trial on some of the long-distance network, we are moving away from the inefficient and unacceptable situation where some “peak” trains run nearly empty whilst some “off-peak” trains are crowded. We aim to make more flexible products available to passengers, and making it easier to choose cheaper, less busy trains, putting passenger choice first and tackling overcrowding.

LNER regularly report on the trial to demonstrate they are meeting their commitment to ensure more affordable tickets are available to passengers.