UK government presents plans for digital ticketing across rail network
Passengers travelling on UK train services are to get more contactless and digital ticketing options across the rail network and will be able to buy tickets and access fare and timetable information via a single integrated website, the UK government has announced. uk rail digital ticketing
The Government has unveiled plans for the railways as they come under one public body to prioritise both passenger and freight services.
Great British Railways will own the infrastructure, run and plan the network, set timetables and collect ticket revenue.
New flexible season tickets will be launched with new Pay As You Go, contactless and digital tickets. A new Great British Railways website will sell tickets, and one compensation system will provide a better way for passengers to apply for refunds.
The government says that Great British Railways will contract private partners to operate trains, with a similar model to what is found on the London Overground and Docklands Light Railway.
New ‘Passenger Service Contracts’ will include incentives to run high-quality services and will not be “one-size-fits-all”.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “I am a great believer in rail, but for too long passengers have not had the level of service they deserve.
“By creating Great British Railways, and investing in the future of the network, this government will deliver a rail system the country can be proud of”.
Grant Shapps, Transport Secretary, said: “Our railways were born and built to serve this country, to forge stronger connections between our communities and provide people with an affordable, reliable and rapid service. Years of fragmentation, confusion and over-complication has seen that vision fade, and passengers failed. That complicated and broken system ends today.
“The pandemic has seen the Government take unprecedented steps to protect services and jobs. It’s now time to kickstart reforms that give the railways solid and stable foundations for the future, unleashing the competitive, innovative and expert abilities of the private sector and ensuring passengers come first. uk rail digital ticketing
