Cost of Living: Rail Fares

Baroness Pidgeon Excerpts

Monday 6th January 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend for his question. The truth of the matter is that, although regulated fares are controlled by the Government, there are many other fares on the railways, some of which produce eye-wateringly expensive charges for what used to be the traditional peak period, while others are extraordinarily cheap, even by continental standards. One of the many jobs that this Government have to do in reforming the railways is to rationalise the 50 million fares, making them affordable and understandable for passengers in order to improve revenue and improve demand on the railway.

[Baroness Pidgeon (LD)]

My Lords, it is with great sadness that I lead for the Lib Dems today on this transport Question, given the tragic passing of our noble friend Lady Randerson. She was such a wise person and we will miss her enormously. I hope that the moving tributes from across the political divide and beyond will provide some comfort to her family and friends at this time.

Given that rail journeys remain below pre-pandemic levels, could the Minister outline specific ongoing measures that the Government are considering to incentivise rail travel?

[Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Lab)]

I thank the noble Baroness for her warm tribute to Baroness Randerson.

As I said, the Government are to have a rail sale early this year, in which many millions of tickets will be sold at discounted fares. Noble Lords will know that, following Covid, the demand characteristics of the railway have changed: there is still less commuting, despite changes in working practices, and more leisure travel. That gives real opportunities to produce fresh fare scenarios that will incentivise travel. To pre-empt a question that otherwise will be asked, the railway needs to be adequately able to cope with leisure travel for all seven days of the week in order that people can not only travel cheaply but get a seat when they do.