2 April 2013
Correction of rail fare anomalies welcomed
Passengers will welcome both fares simplification and fares cuts
Transform Scotland have today (Tuesday 2nd) welcomed the announcement by ScotRail and Transport Scotland that more than 1,500 fares anomalies on the Scottish rail network are to be closed. [1]
Transform Scotland director Colin Howden said:
"Rail fares can be bizarrely complex so it's very welcome that action is being taken to remove some of the anomalies present in the existing system.
"Passengers will especially welcome the commitment that the change will not mean that rail fares will go up, but rather that end-to-end fares will be lower than buying 'split tickets'. It's a nonsense that passengers can travel on the same train, on the same seats, but are sold tickets at different prices because of fare anomalies. It is things like this that make some people distrustful of the railway -- so it's encouraging to see some of the inconsistencies in the system corrected." [2]
ENDS
Notes to Editors
[1] Transform Scotland
Transform Scotland is the national sustainable transport alliance, bringing together rail, bus and shipping operators, local authorities, national environment and conservation groups, businesses and local transport groups. See <http://www.transformscotland.org.uk/members.aspx> for details.
[2] Message from ScotRail
The message to stakeholders from ScotRail MD Steve Montgomery received this morning states that "As a general a rule of thumb, we have ensured that end-to-end fares will be at least 50p less than the cheapest 'split ticketing' option."
END OF NEWS RELEASE