Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to allow rail tickets issued by one operator to be accepted by a different operator on the same route; and whether arrangements to achieve this will be introduced in time for the next East Coast Mainline timetable.

We are committed to simplifying the over complicated fares and ticketing system. Under our plans to bring train operators into a publicly owned Great British Railways, we will be taking a fresh look at single operator fares, so that we can create a simpler fares and ticketing system for passengers.

On the East Coast Main Line, London North-Eastern Railway (LNER) have ensured that its advance and 70-minute flex tickets are accepted by other relevant train operators, to allow passengers to complete their journeys.

As announced in December by the Department for Transport Operator, LNER, Northern and TransPennine Trains will allow customers to travel on each other’s services at no extra cost during any short-notice and on-the-day disruptions.