RMT CALLS FOR FLEXIBLE SEASON TICKETS

8 R MT has called on the government to implement a simple national scheme for flexible ticketing on the railways with immediate effect to give passengers more flexibility in their travel options. The call was made after the published a report called ‘Flex Appeal – A Simple National Flexible Ticketing Scheme for our Railway’.  Since the lockdown was implemented on March 23 rail usage has slumped to just 23 per cent of pre Covid-19 levels as only 34 per cent of white collar workers have returned to the office whilst a survey of businesses found that 50 per cent say that remote working will become a permanent mix for most of their staff. Government statistics show that even before the Covid-19 crisis there was significant demand for flexible ticketing with over 8.3 million people working part-time across the UK. The report was released when July’s RPI figure was published which sets the increase for next years season tickets.  RMT looked at 104 separate commuter routes across England, Wales and Scotland and the current prices for annual season tickets. RMT’s report shows that if the government introduced annual season tickets that were valid for two, three of four days per week rather than seven days as they are now rail commuters who wanted to use more flexible travel would make significant savings.  Examples of savings on regular commutes into UK cities include the following: • Brighton to London Terminals current season ticket price is £4,580 per year. A pro-rated 3 day per week flexible season ticket would cost £2,748, a saving of £1,832 on a full season ticket.  • Albans to London Terminals current season ticket price is £3,712 per year. A pro-rated 3 day per week flexible season ticket would cost £2,227, a saving of £1,484 on a full season ticket. • Glasgow to Edinburgh Terminals current season ticket price is £2,504 per year. A pro-rated 3 day per week flexible season ticket would cost £1,502.40, a saving of £1,001.60 on a full season ticket.  • Swansea to Cardiff Terminals current season ticket costs £1,844 per year. A pro-rated 3 day per week flexible season ticket would cost £1,106.40, a saving of £737.60 on a full season ticket. • Nuneaton to Birmingham Terminals current season ticket costs £2,080 per year. A pro-rated 3 day per week flexible season ticket would cost £1,248, a saving of £832 on a full season ticket. • Macclesfield to Manchester Terminals current season ticket costs £2,148 per year. A pro-rated 3 day per week flexible season ticket would cost £1,288.80, a saving of £859.20 on a full season ticket. ï• Bradford-On-Avon to Bristol Terminals current season ticket costs £2,268 per year. A pro-rated 3 day per week flexible season ticket would cost £1,360.80, a saving of £907.20 on a full season ticket. • Skipton to Leeds Terminals current season ticket costs £2,012 per year. A pro-rated 3 day per week flexible season ticket would cost £1,207, a saving of £805 on a full season ticket. • Warrington Stations to Liverpool Terminals current season ticket costs £1,640 per year. A pro-rated 3 day per week flexible season ticket would cost £984, a saving of £656.00on a full season ticket. • Middlesbrough to Newcastle Terminals current season ticket costs £2,224 per year. A pro-rated 3 day per week flexible season ticket would cost £1,334.40, a saving of £889.60 on a full season ticket. RMT senior assistant general secretary Mick Lynch said that the reality was that many commuters and their firms will be holding off purchasing season tickets for 2021 as home working becomes a long term feature.   “There will be a massive drop in demand for conventional season tickets and unless the demand for more flexible tickets and affordable tickets is met commuters will permanently abandon the railway.    “The government must rebuild passenger confidence and encourage passengers back to the railway by giving them what they want: flexible ticketing that’s good value and suits their needs as part of the Covid-19 recovery. “The vested interest of the train operating companies has meant flexible ticketing has not been introduced because they believe it will hit the profits for their shareholders. “RMT is calling on the government to immediately introduce a simple national scheme, supported by protecting ticket offices so that the right advice is always available, as part of a national strategy for a publicly owned railway that has key rail workers and passengers at its heart,” he said. MT has called on the government to implement a simple national scheme for flexible ticketing on the l h d ff rather than seven days as they are now rail commuters who wanted to use more flexible travel would make significant year. A pro-rated 3 day per week flexible season ticket would cost £1,248, a saving of £832 on a full season k would cost £1,334.40, a saving of £889.60 on a full season ticket. RMT senior assistant general RMT CALLS FOR FLEXIBLE SEASON TICKETS