Oral Answers to Questions

Peter Kyle Excerpts

Thursday 30th January 2020 Commons Chamber

[George Freeman]

Again, I seem to be a purveyor of good news. My hon. Friend will be delighted to know that as part of our innovation strategy we will shortly be announcing that we want to test scooters as part of a mixed economy for sustainable transport.

[Peter Kyle (Hove) (Lab)]

12. What steps his Department is taking to reform the regulation of fares to encourage more people to travel by train.

[The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Chris Heaton-Harris)]

The Government have frozen regulated rail fares in line with inflation for the seventh year in a row. In addition, we have already cut costs for thousands of young people with the 16-to-17 saver railcard and announced a new railcard for veterans, which is to be launched later this year. All those measures help encourage people to travel more by train.

[Peter Kyle]

It has been two and a half years since the Gibb review of the main line between London and Brighton, which stated that there are three rail fare structures for one line. It is really simple: get rid of two of them and stick to the Thameslink fare, which is the cheapest. The Minister does not need another review, because there have been many already. Can he just get to his feet and give a commitment that that is exactly what he will do?

[Chris Heaton-Harris]

I can get to my feet and commit the Government to simplifying rail fares in the very near term.