Appeal to cut train fares to capital for business

Leeds-based Henderson Insurance Brokers and Jonathan Oxley, the West Yorkshire chairman of the Institute of Directors (IoD), have written to Karen Boswell, managing director of East Coast, which runs trains from London to Yorkshire. They claim that the social obligations of the railway pricing system are being underwritten by businesses that have to pay top fares for urgent journeys.

Joe Henderson, chief executive of Henderson Insurances Brokers, said it is “galling” to book a ticket to London for an urgent meeting knowing that there are many who have paid less but are not necessarily on a journey that will benefit the Northern economy.

They said that East Coast should invest in a ‘Business Builder’ discount rail card that would be available up to ten times a year to members of business organisations such as the IoD or the Chambers of Commerce.

At present, booking tickets from Leeds or York to the Capital costs £249 for a standard class anytime return. Mr Oxley said: “A ‘Business Builder’ card would ensure legitimate business users could access at least some peak time journeys at a reasonable cost. If a 20 per cent per cent discount were applied it could lower a standard peak time return fare to London from Leeds saving just under £50 per journey or £500 per year for ten business trips.”

But publicly-owned East Coast said it does offer an opportunity for businesses in Yorkshire to benefit from a 20 per cent discount with its Business Carnet ticket.

Its commercial and customer service director Peter Williams said: “The Business Carnet is a single purchase of five fully flexible return tickets for the price of four, which offers great value for money, as well as the flexibility to travel at a moment’s notice, making it ideal for travelling to last-minute business meetings.”

East Coast said the Business Carnet is available for first class or standard travel on selected journeys to and from London, valid for three months.

But Mr Oxley said paying up front for several tickets at a time “isn’t much help in cash flow terms for smaller businesses”.