Fares reform idea (from Twitter)

[JonathanH]

£100/yr would compare reasonably with Germany/Switzerland. It would enable the fares to go up for infrequent users, and those currently with railcards, and leave those who currently have no railcards to pay about what they do now.

Is that desirable? It is actually occasional users who need to be encouraged to use trains and the available capacity, so they get out of cars, rather than people with an existing predilection to use the railway.

 

[Topological]

Presumably some simple limitations could be made to allow the abolition of peak restrictions, such as the railcard not being valid before 8am (That meaning anywhere on the network, clearly allows those commuters within an hour of London to use a train which leaves at 08:00 and arrives in London in time for their work). Removing the evening peak would mean you do not have any restrictions on leisure travellers.

In terms of those who might be enticed to the rail network I think that keeping advance tickets would be no bad thing. Whether the railcard then allows discount on advance is open to discussion.

Aside from the specific train restrictions of advance, and the fact the railcard cannot be used before 8am, I would keep the rest of the tickets as a simple point-to-point price with London restrictions meaning routes where via London is not the quickest become two parts.

That then made me wonder about Wigan (either) to Warrington (either) since that can be done direct (if North Western to Bank Quay) or via Manchester. Should that ticket be valid via Manchester or should it be insisted that a direct ticket exists between North Western and Bank Quay so you cannot use Wallgate to go to Central via Manchester? There are many such potential anomalies around the network.

 

[Hadders]

Discount being available at all times with a 16-25 and 26-30 railcards (subject to the £12 minimum fare) is an important way of helping younger workers with longer commutes at the start of their careers when they generally aren't earning much. Take Stevenage to London:

Anytime Day Return £26.30
Weekly season £111.80
Annual season £4,472

The railcard discounted Anytime Day Return is £17.35, allows daily tickets to be purchased so no lump sum to pay up front. I wouldn't want to see this feature removed.

 

[RT4038]

Is that desirable? It is actually occasional users who need to be encouraged to use trains and the available capacity, so they get out of cars, rather than people with an existing predilection to use the railway.

I am pretty sure it is not desirable, because it negates the commercial reasons for introducing the various railcards in the first place.

 

[Trainlog]

Would definetly be in support of ideas 1,2,4. Peak fares are annoying as though i can understand why they can be useful to operators if they want to capitalize on London commuters, etc, For anyone that wants to go against the rushour flow it just puts you off travelling at that time as the price isn't worth it especially if buses are offering a cheaper alternative.

I would really like to travel by train more at earlier times but if it means i cant use my railcard i just wont bother with it sadly.

 

[JonathanH]

I would really like to travel by train more at earlier times but if it means i cant use my railcard i just wont bother with it sadly.

An interesting juxtaposition that because you know you can get a cheaper fare later in the day, it puts you off travelling earlier, because you place less value on that ability to travel.