Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to encourage greater use of rural rail lines by those over 50 years of age; and if he will provide increased funding to the Scottish Government to encourage uptake of the Club 50 scheme.

The Government’s Community Rail Development Strategy looks at innovative ways of operating local rural branch lines, through a programme of cost management, a drive to increase passenger numbers and direct community involvement via local authorities, community rail partnerships, and other stakeholder groups.

The bulk of Government support for local and rural rail comes via the franchising process and direct support for the rail industry, which allow for the continuation or improvement of passenger services on many local and rural railways for the benefit of all users. As all non-regulated fares are set on a commercial level by the operator, they can choose to offer promotional fares and other incentives should they wish. In addition, we have capped regulated fares at the level of the Retail Price Index (RPI) for two years running, and will continue to do so for the life of this parliament.

The Club 50 scheme is a ScotRail initiative, which will offer discounted travel and other benefits, including from other partners, specifically for the over 50s. As the ScotRail franchise is specified, let and managed by the Scottish Ministers under the devolved powers relating to railways in Scotland, funding issues are a matter for the Scottish Government.