Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of her planned ticket pricing policies on (a) affordability and (b) ridership for passengers using the C2C train routes in the period after its re-nationalisation.
Answer
Most regulated rail fares will increase by 4.6% on 2 March 2025. This will be the lowest absolute increase in three years and delivers a fair balance between taxpayers and passengers. This increase will support the Government’s long-term plans to achieve financial sustainability of the railway.
Whilst it is our ambition through public ownership to deliver a more affordable railway, any long-term changes or concessions made to rail fares policy require balancing against the potential impacts on passengers, taxpayers and the railway.
Through future legislation, we will set out the role Great British Railways will have in fares, ticketing, and other operational aspects of the Railway. Fares and ticketing will continue to be the responsibility of train operators until Great British Railways is established.