§ Mr. Matthew BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about the future of the present range of reduced fares and railcards since publication of the Railways Bill; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanMy right hon. Friend has received a number of representations about these matters.
After privatisation, the offer of railcards and discounted ticketing arrangements will be a matter for operators' judgment, as it is now for BR. Through tickets will continue to be available in a range of ticket and fare types, but it will be for operators to determine their price by negotiation. In a competitive environment there will be every incentive for operators to seek to attract custom and maximise revenue by offering discounted tickets.
The Government therefore see no need to impose specific requirements on operators to offer particular types of discount facility, with the exception of the disabled persons railcard which is provided voluntarily by British Rail and does not make a profit. We have announced our intention that all passenger rail franchisees should be obliged to offer common discount facilities to disabled people on broadly similar lines to the present arrangements.