RAIL FARES CONSULTATION

That this House welcomes the Rail Delivery Group and Transport Focus' joint commitment to making rail fares easier to use for rail customers; notes that existing regulations, which have remained unchanged since the mid-1990s, have resulted in a confusing and overly complicated fares and ticketing system; further notes that the current system fails to take account of advances in smartphone technology and modern flexible working practices, with part-time working and self-employment having increased by more than one third since the existing regulations were created; recognises how vital the railway is to the UK, securing economic benefits worth £85 billion and 100,000 job opportunities across the country in the industry and its supply chain by 2027; and calls on governments in the UK to work with the industry and Transport Focus to reform the system into one that is easier to use, provides good value and in which customers can trust.