Mr. Robert AinsworthTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make it his policy that whole system travel cards should continue to be provided within the proposed franchising system after rail privatisation;
(2) if he will make it his policy to extend the requirement on carriers to participate in the west midlands travel card scheme beyond the current three-year provision.
§ Mr. FreemanTravel cards are attractive to customers and have marketing advantages for operators. Our objective following privatisation is that travel cards should be sufficiently attractive commercially that franchisees will wish to participate in them.