§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy in respect of the issuing of carnet tickets by train operating companies. [63644]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Government's White Paper on the Future of Transport (Cm 3950) made it clear that we consider that carnets are a desirable alternative to season tickets. They would be a particular benefit to part-time workers as well as occasional travellers and we wish to encourage all rail (and indeed other transport) operators to offer them as part of their ticketing range. The current arrangements for fares are a consequence of legally binding franchise agreements inherited from the previous Government. When opportunities arise for negotiating franchises, the structure and marketing of fares is one of the areas in which the new Strategic Rail Authority will look for improvements.