Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with rail operators on the effect on their services of a potential increase in flexible and part-time commuters.

The Government recognises that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a fundamental change in working patterns and that this could have long-term effects on commuter behaviour. In order to support a green recovery and new working patterns, the Department is working with industry to explore already available options for flexible commuters, such as carnets, and what steps could be taken quickly to make these as useful and convenient for passengers as possible.