§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes have been made in respect of the choice of route and permitted break in rail journeys following the privatisation of railway services. [37387]
§ Mr. WattsThe British Railways Board is currently developing draft proposals for a routing guide which will set out unambiguously the routes over which passengers may travel when holding any particular ticket. The intention is to document and safeguard existing practice. Where a route is currently widely accepted and used it will be included in the routing guide. There has been no change in respect of the right to break a rail journey at an intermediate station.
When ready, the guide will be issued to all operators so it will be clear which route or routes passengers may use for their journey. This will eliminate the uncertainty which can arise currently from different interpretations of ticket validity, and will provide a safeguard against piecemeal erosion of the facility to use alternative routes. The BRB is consulting the Central Rail Users' Consultative Committee on the proposals and guide which will be subject to final approval by the franchising director and the rail regulator.
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