Call for threeday-a-week season tickets to cut rail cost
● Union leaders urge ministers to launch flexible scheme across UK
Union leaders have urged the UK government to launch a national scheme for flexible rail tickets as many people will continue working from home after the virus crisis ends.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said the move would save commuters thousands of pounds.
Since the lockdown in March, rail usage has slumped to just 23 per cent of pre Covid-19 levels. Only one in three white collar workers have returned to offices, the union said.
Surveys have shown huge numbers of workers will either continue operating from home, or split the week between their office and home.
Even before the Covid-19 crisis there was significant demand for flexible ticketing with more than 8.3 million people working part-time, said the RMT.
Last month’s RPI inflation figureispublishedonwednesday, which sets the increase for next year’s season tickets.
The RMT looked at more than 100 commuter routes across Scotland, England and Wales and the existing prices for annual season tickets, saying passengers would make significant savings if they could buy a season ticket valid for part of the week.
Examples of savings included:
•Edinburgh to Glasgow current season ticket price is £4,200 a year. A three-daya week flexible season ticket would cost £2,520, a saving of £1,680.
•Edinburgh to Perth costs £3,756 for a season ticket. A three day pass would be £2,253.60, a saving of £1,502.40.
•Edinburgh to Tweedbank costs £2,900 for a season ticket. A three-day-a week flexible pass would cost £1,740, a saving of £1,160.
RMT assistant general secretary Mick Lynch said: “The reality is many commuters and their firms will be holding off purchasing season tickets for 2021 as home working becomes a long-term feature.
“There will be a massive drop in demand for conventional season tickets and unless the demand for more flexible tickets and affordable tickets is met, commuters will permanently abandon the railway.
“The government must rebuild passenger confidence and encourage passengers back to the railway by giving them what they want – flexible ticketing that’s good value and suits their needs as part of the Covid-19 recovery.”
Mr Lynch added: “RMT is today calling on the government to immediately introduce a simple national scheme”