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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/money/2016/nov/28/plans-for-simpler-more-modern-uk-train-fare-system-to-be-announced
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| Plans for 'simpler, more modern' UK train fare system to be announced | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Rail passengers could be given a boost under government plans to make it clearer which is the cheapest ticket option available to them. | Rail passengers could be given a boost under government plans to make it clearer which is the cheapest ticket option available to them. |
| Ministers are planning an overhaul of the complex train ticketing system, under which many passengers end up paying more than is necessary for their travel. It is understood that rail firms face being ordered to redesign thousands of station ticket machines as part of the measures, which are due to be announced next month. | Ministers are planning an overhaul of the complex train ticketing system, under which many passengers end up paying more than is necessary for their travel. It is understood that rail firms face being ordered to redesign thousands of station ticket machines as part of the measures, which are due to be announced next month. |
| “Rail passengers must be able to trust that they are getting the best possible deal every time they travel and we are working with industry partners and consumer experts to identify improvements which could be brought in quickly across the network,” said the Department for Transport (DfT). | “Rail passengers must be able to trust that they are getting the best possible deal every time they travel and we are working with industry partners and consumer experts to identify improvements which could be brought in quickly across the network,” said the Department for Transport (DfT). |
| “We want a simpler, more modern and passenger-focused fares and ticketing system which takes advantage of all the benefits of new technology. Progress has been made, including an announcement earlier this week of £80m to accelerate the roll-out of smart ticketing across the network.” | “We want a simpler, more modern and passenger-focused fares and ticketing system which takes advantage of all the benefits of new technology. Progress has been made, including an announcement earlier this week of £80m to accelerate the roll-out of smart ticketing across the network.” |
| It is understood that ministers are considering forcing rail operators to alert passengers who are using station ticket machines or buying from the ticket office if there is a cheaper way to make their journey. | It is understood that ministers are considering forcing rail operators to alert passengers who are using station ticket machines or buying from the ticket office if there is a cheaper way to make their journey. |
| Under the ticketing settlement agreement of 1995, train operators are only obliged to tell customers of the most suitable ticket for their journey. | Under the ticketing settlement agreement of 1995, train operators are only obliged to tell customers of the most suitable ticket for their journey. |
| A source indicated that the government was believed to be planning to order firms to be more consistent on conditions, such as peak time restrictions, attached to tickets. | A source indicated that the government was believed to be planning to order firms to be more consistent on conditions, such as peak time restrictions, attached to tickets. |
| According to the Times, passengers travelling between London and Birmingham are offered more than 40 different fares and there are an estimated 16m different train fares available on the UK’s rail network. | According to the Times, passengers travelling between London and Birmingham are offered more than 40 different fares and there are an estimated 16m different train fares available on the UK’s rail network. |
| The paper reported that different self-service machines inside the same train station offer vastly different fares for the same journey, meaning some passengers end up paying more. | The paper reported that different self-service machines inside the same train station offer vastly different fares for the same journey, meaning some passengers end up paying more. |
| Stephen Joseph, executive director of the Campaign for Better Transport, told the paper: “There are 16m fares on the national rail database … anything that makes the system more transparent is very welcome, but this must go further and look at the real fundamentals of the ticketing system.” | Stephen Joseph, executive director of the Campaign for Better Transport, told the paper: “There are 16m fares on the national rail database … anything that makes the system more transparent is very welcome, but this must go further and look at the real fundamentals of the ticketing system.” |
| A spokesman for the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators, said: “We want rail customers to get the best possible deal every time. We’re making it easier and quicker for people to pay to travel by train with smarter ticketing, and we want to speed up improvements that will mean simpler, clearer fares that people can trust.” | A spokesman for the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators, said: “We want rail customers to get the best possible deal every time. We’re making it easier and quicker for people to pay to travel by train with smarter ticketing, and we want to speed up improvements that will mean simpler, clearer fares that people can trust.” |