Overhaul train fare system to cut carbon emissions, say operators

Fares that are easier to understand, a better range of 'walk-up' fares and season tickets that are suited to flexible working could incentivise people to travel

Disruption is expected until 10am (Getty Images)

Rail operators are calling for the current train fare system to be overturned in a bid to cut carbon emissions.

According to new analysis by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) and KPMG, reforming train fares could encourage an extra 300 million people to travel on UK railways over the next decade.

RDG, which represents UK train companies and Network Rail, said that an easier fares system could help cut carbon emissions by 1.2 million tonnes over the next 10 years.

It’s the equivalent of removing 61,000 cars, or one in three cars from the M1.

Fares that are easier to understand, a better range of “walk-up” fares and season tickets that are suited to flexible working could incentivise people to travel, the RDG said.

The rail industry is calling on the government to reform the current “rigid” system of rail fares, which was created in the 1990s and has “failed to keep pace with how people work and travel today”.

According to RDG there are now more than 50 million fares available for travel. This multitude of options means travellers can’t ensure they’re getting the best deal.

A trial for simpler rail fares will begin on LNER, which runs services on the East Coast mainline between London, north east England and Scotland, in 2020.

“More people than ever want to go green when it comes to how they travel,” said Jacqueline Starr, chief operating officer at the Rail Delivery Group.

“Our plans for easier fares would encourage more people to ditch dirty traffic jams in favour of cleaner, greener trains and it’s time the government committed to wholesale reform of the outdated regulations that make rail fares so complicated.”

“The climate crisis will be solved, in part, by getting people out of their cars and using public transport such as trains,” said Mike Childs, head of science at Friends of the Earth.

“Any suggestions to help with this have got to be explored, and this includes reforming rail fares to give passengers the confidence they are getting the best price for their ticket.

“Right now, government policy means driving a car is cheap and rail fares keep getting more and more expensive. Making fares cheaper and fairer is one of the ways to make travel by rail more appealing and more accessible.”

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said: “The Transport Secretary wants the trains to run on time and for them to provide great value for commuters. Rail is also one of the greenest ways to travel, and we are committed to modernising our trains and infrastructure to deliver cleaner journeys.

“Rail passengers can already benefit from cheaper advanced fares and savings from railcards, but the rail industry can do much more. That is why we are taking action to simplify fares, including backing LNER’s trial of single-leg fares next year to give passengers more confidence they are buying the correct ticket for their needs.

“The forthcoming Williams Review White Paper will also make wide-ranging proposals to modernise the fares system, bringing the railway in line with what passengers expect in the 21st century.”