Passenger Focus has welcomed a drive to make the rail industry more efficient and cut costs for both passengers and the tax payer.
Commenting on the McNulty report into value for money published yesterday, Passenger Focus said that any attempt to cut rail industry costs should keep the focus on improving passenger satisfaction and pressure off future fare rises.
Anthony Smith, Passenger Focus chief executive, said:
“Us passengers are already doing our bit. Some of the highest rail fares in Europe, inflation busting rises for the next three years and passengers already investing over six and a half billion pounds into the railways every year. Now it is over to the rail industry to do their bit.”
Passenger Focus said rail industry reform must be based around passengers’ priorities, not what is convenient for the rail industry.
Anthony Smith said: “Passengers want affordable fares, a reliable, frequent service with a good chance of getting a seat. Simply cutting the number of carriages, staff or services risks putting off the very passengers who are fuelling growth on the railways – and the wider economy.”
Passenger Focus welcomed Secretary of State for Transport Philip Hammond’s comments today about passengers and taxpayers sharing the benefits of any cost savings.
However, comments in the report about fares need very careful scrutiny. While the report’s aim of not increasing the overall levels of fares is good news, experience shows this is difficult to achieve.
Anthony Smith continued: “Reducing regulation on Off Peak tickets is a leap in the dark. All the experience, all the history shows there will be more losers than winners.
“Affordable, flexible travel for longer journeys will be confined to a brief window in the middle of the day. Creating a Super Peak fare in the morning commute will force passengers to stump up more or travel at other times. Passengers will resent it.”
Anthony Smith concluded: “We urge the Government to look very carefully at these recommendations, to consider how passengers currently use the railway and listen to what passengers want. Passenger Focus will make recommendations to Government once we have looked at the detail of this report.”
