Campaigners call for flexi-fares

Figures from the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT) suggest part-time workers commuting into Leeds could save more than £500 on average if they were allowed to buy a season ticket covering three days rather than the whole week.

The group argues that the lack of flexibility in the rail season ticket system leaves thousands of part-time workers unable to commute by train or paying for days when they do not need to travel.

CBT public transport campaigner Martin Abrams said: “The days of everyone working 9 to 5, Monday to Friday are long gone but the Government hasn’t kept up and is dragging its heels over season tickets for part-time workers.

“The result is part-timers who catch the train to work paying huge sums for tickets they don’t use, and in some cases being priced out of jobs altogether.

“The Government needs to stop dithering and make sure all train companies introduce season tickets for part-time workers across the network as a matter of urgency.”

According to the group, a season ticket from York to Leeds costs more than £2,000 whereas one covering three working days’ travel a week would come in at £1,214.

Part-time workers from Ilkley could travel into Leeds for £694 rather than the £1,156 they currently have to pay for a whole week.

Today, the CBT will join representatives of more than a dozen organisations in delivering a letter to Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin at his department in London.

The Government has committed itself to trialling part-time season tickets but, according to the CBT, there has been “very limited progress” on implementation.

A Department for Transport spokesman said: “We are aware that people are increasingly working more flexible hours and require a public transport system that best suits their needs.

“Following our announcement last year, we are currently developing a trial of part-time season tickets, which will look at how we can give passengers a better deal. We expect to announce more details later in the year.”

Earlier this week, rail passengers in Yorkshire were told by the Government there may need to be “trade-offs” for improved trains such as shorter ticket office opening hours and cuts on unpopular routes.

A spokesman for rail industry body the Rail Delivery Group said: “Train companies are always keen to offer passengers a good deal on fares, which is one of the reasons rail travel in Britain has grown faster than many other European countries over the last 15 years. Building on this success, we are working with the Government to pilot the idea of more-flexible season tickets which better suit the needs of some passengers.”