Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they are making on the tendering process for the Consolidated Online Retail Solution to deliver advanced rail retailing in the 15 months since the Prior Information Notice was formally issued on 15 December 2021.

As set out in the Plan for Rail, we recognise that the current multitude of train company websites with different standards of service is confusing to passengers. We are continuing to review the best way to address this and are working closely with the rail sector to do this.

We will also open up railway data and systems, whilst lowering barriers to entry for the industry. For ticketing, that means a more competitive retail market and we welcome new players to spur more innovation and give passengers the services they need.

Further updates on rail retailing proposals will be provided in due course.