Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Iain Stewart and Paul Maynard

Thursday 30th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Iain Stewart (Milton Keynes South) (Con)]

4. What progress is being made to simplify the rail ticketing system.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Paul Maynard)]

The Department continues to work with the industry to explore what further improvements can be made to simplify fares. The action plan we announced in December will drive improvement for passengers, including removing jargon, improving ticket vending machines and trialling approaches to simplifying the fares structure.

[Iain Stewart]

Many of my constituents travel frequently by train, but not every day and not always at peak hours, so the traditional season ticket is not appropriate for them. What new ticket products is the Minister encouraging train operating companies to introduce to meet and encourage such demand?

[Paul Maynard]

My hon. Friend is quite right to raise the issue of part-time season tickets. This is a matter of personal importance to me, and I encourage all train operating companies to consider whether the range of products they have on offer actually meets their customers’ needs. With regard to his own route to Milton Keynes, I am sure he will be pleased to know that the next West Midlands franchise will require that a part-time flexible season ticket be offered by the winning bidder, and I look forward to seeing what those bids contain.