Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Railway Ticketing

Thursday 21 November 2024 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial review of revenue protection practices requested by the Office of Rail and Road.
  • Independent review involves devolved operators to address fare evasion fairly.
  • Government prioritizes affordability of public transport alongside railway improvements.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Anneliese Midgley Lab Knowsley
Transport
Context

The question arises from the confusion and issues faced by passengers due to complex rail ticketing systems. Social media regularly highlights cases where passengers are wrongly prosecuted.

Question

I am concerned about the steps being taken to simplify railway ticketing as many people face confusion and wrongful prosecution due to a complicated system. Some constituents in Knowsley have been unfairly fined or denied travel for purchasing tickets online, which they believed were correct. What actions is the Secretary of State taking with our mayor, Steve Rotherham, and other operators like Merseyrail to ensure passengers are not penalised unfairly and that there is a clear and fair ticketing system?

Answer from Louise Haigh

We are working with mayors as we establish Great British Railways. I have requested an independent review of revenue protection practices by the Office of Rail and Road, involving devolved operators where appropriate. We prioritise fair treatment of passengers while addressing fare evasion.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps with local mayor Steve Rotherham and Merseyrail were not detailed

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Q2 Anneliese Midgley Lab Knowsley
Transport
Context

The question arises from the confusion and issues faced by passengers due to complex rail ticketing systems. Social media regularly highlights cases where passengers are wrongly prosecuted.

Question

I associate myself with the tributes paid to John Prescott. Radio Merseyside has featured many stories about passengers who were fined because they bought train tickets in good faith, only to find out that they were wrong ones. My constituents find themselves being unfairly penalised or denied travel by Merseytravel for purchasing tickets online which they believed were correct. What steps is the Secretary of State taking with our mayor Steve Rotherham and other operators like Merseyrail to ensure passengers are not unfairly penalised and there is a clear and fair ticketing system?

Answer from Louise Haigh

We are collaborating with mayors as we establish Great British Railways. I have requested an independent review of revenue protection practices by the Office of Rail and Road, involving devolved operators where appropriate. Addressing fare evasion is a priority, but we must always treat passengers fairly and appropriately.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps with local mayor Steve Rotherham were not detailed

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Q3 Paul Kohler Lib Dem Wimbledon
Economy Transport
Context

The question comes in the context of rising bus fares and an above-inflation rail fare increase. The government's plan for public ownership of railways is also mentioned.

Question

I express my party's sympathy for John Prescott's family, friends, colleagues, and former constituents. I welcome comments on simplifying ticketing to get people back on the railways but affordability is critical too. Alongside a 50% hike in bus fares, the Chancellor announced an above-inflation rail fare increase of 4.6% from March 2025 just when public ownership of the railways begins.

Answer from Louise Haigh

A priority for this Government is to keep public transport affordable, but our absolute priority is fixing the mess in the railways inherited after 14 years of under-investment and decline.

Not addressed: No specific measures were provided on keeping public transport affordable

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