A year on since the UKs biggest ever rail fares consultation opened, train passengers are still using an outdated fares system.
Passengers are now saying that the government shouls prioritise a fares reform and enable it to change as soon as possible.
81% of passengers think updates to the fares system should be prioritised by the independently chaired Williams Review looking at the whole rail system. This is according to an independent survey by Populus commissioned by the Rail Delivery Group.
The results come exactly one year since the rail industry and Transport Focus started the biggest ever public consultation into how the fares system could be reformed to make it easier to use.
The latest poll shows that passengers want to see change delivered quickly, with almost eight in 10 (77%) saying it is important that the government works with the rail industry to enable change within the next three to five years. This timeframe is especially important among commuters (79%) and people who take the train for business (80%).
The poll also found that among rail users:
- Only one in 10 (11%) feel the range of rail fares on offer always fits with their lifestyle and the way they want to travel, falling to just 5% of people who use the train for business.
- Six in 10 (60%) say rail fares always, often or sometimes feel too rigid so they have to fit their plans around them, rather than the other way around, which rises to two-thirds (67%) of part-time commuters and eight in 10 (80%) people who use the train for business.
- More than eight in 10 (85%) think it's important that the fares system is updated to enable flexible workers to save money.
The current fares system is based on a regulation that has remained largely unchanged since it was introduced in 1995. Part-time working and self-employment having increased by over a third in just over two decades, but the rail fares on offer are still geared towards people who work five days a week.
In February, the industry submitted its ‘Easier Fares for All' proposals. They promote moving to a ‘single-leg' structure, as currently operates within London so that passengers are able to pick the most appropriate ticket for each leg of their journey.
Overcrowding could also be reduced by up to a third on the busiest long-distance services with people having the flexibility to mix-and-match different types of single tickets, with no need to commit to a return when they buy an outward journey.
The industry is also working to improve ticketing within the constraints of the current system. This includes cutting jargon, making more tickets available on smartcards and mobiles and introducing technology to make it easier for customers to find the right fare on some individual routes.
What did the officials say?
Paul Plummer, chief executive at the Rail Delivery Group, which represents the rail industry, said:
“Passengers across the country want to see the wheels turning on fares reform. Work around solutions are not enough – bringing decades old regulations up to date is the only way to deliver easier-to-use, more flexible and better value rail fares for all our passengers.”
Anthony Smith, chief executive of independent passenger watchdog Transport Focus which led the easier fares consultation jointly with the RDG said:
“Transport Focus research shows that rail passengers want a fares system that is simple to use, easy to understand and is flexible enough to cater to how people work and travel today.
“Making sure passengers are confident they can purchase the best value ticket for their journey remains their top priority for improvement. The outdated fares and ticketing system continues to erode passenger trust; fundamental fares reform from the Rail Review cannot arrive a minute too soon.”
Dr Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“Business communities across the UK rely on the rail network to move people and goods, and need a modern, simple and logical fare regime. Reform of the current system is long overdue, and the rail review is a good opportunity to kickstart this process, both to improve the customer experience and also to support changing patterns of work and travel.”
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Yes but rail fares are still going up every year. Which is why passengers are having to pay more money to travel on trains. Despite most of them have railcards and rail apps that can help reduce the cost of train fares.