Slow train services could cost less to use

‘Voice of the passenger’

RAIL fares could be based on quality of service under plans being considered as part of an overhaul of ticketing.

This could mean it would be cheaper to travel on routes with slower, less regular and more basic trains, while better services would cost more.

Another idea under consideration is abolishing peak and offpeak fares so passengers are charged the same regardless of when they travel.

Other possibilities include giving discounts to regular travellers and reducing prices for etickets but increasing them for paper tickets to reflect the difference in transaction costs.

The ideas are being put to rail users in a consultation launched today by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents the industry, alongside the passenger watchdog Transport Focus.

The ticketing system is underpinned by regulations from the mid-1990s and has not kept pace with technology or how people work and travel.

Around 55million different fares exist, including anomalies such as charging a peak-time fare when half a trip is on an off-peak service.

Research commissioned by the RDG found only 34 per cent of passengers are ‘very confident’ they bought the bestvalue ticket for their last journey, and just 29 per cent were ‘very satisfied’ with the ticketbuying experience.

Responses to the consultation will be used to produce a report containing proposals for ministers to consider. Any measures will be designed to require no change in average fares and no extra support from taxpayers.

Anthony Smith, of Transport Focus, said: ‘We will ensure the voice of the passenger is heard.’