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Anthony Smith: Time to look at pay-as-you-go rail across South-East

Tap in and tap out. Londoners have got used to contactless pay-as-you-go travel. But it’s not that simple once you leave the zones. Why is a single off-peak rail fare only just less expensive than a return? Hard to explain, and ask anyone what they think about fares and the chances are you’ll hear one of the following: they are complicated, confusing, there’s no logic to them, they’re expensive, I’m never sure if I have the right ticket.

Last week the Department for Transport launched a consultation on extending the successful PAYG system across the South-East — from Shoeburyness to Reading, from Brighton to Cambridge.

At a stroke millions of passengers’ journeys could become simpler and quicker. The spread of a PAYG-type system, which works well in London, is to be welcomed. Assuming it is backed up by the same robust technology, with a clear, single help point, trust in it will soon build. However, it will be important to understand how the detail will work. Passengers will want to know how prices might change — some prices may go up as well as others coming down.

Transport Focus’s extensive passenger research tells us the case for changing all of Britain’s outdated, outmoded fares and ticketing system is overwhelming. Last year we joined with the rail industry trade association, the Rail Delivery Group, in launching the Easier Fares consultation — this also found an overwhelming desire for change.

The fares reform proposal out today and the PAYG consultation contain a lot of things that are sensible and long overdue: the spread of single-journey-based pricing will simplify the system and make it easier to explain.

New fares that match the way people want to travel today will make rail more attractive.

Current fares regulation does stand in the way of achieving much of this. But regulation also caps some prices, so talk of reforming it could make some people nervous.

At this stage, it is hard to work out the precise implications of these proposals — most people will think in terms of “what does it mean for my fare?” but, understandably, it will be some time before this is known.

Moving on before knowing this, therefore, is something of an act of faith, albeit a necessary one. It will be essential that the industry, in partnership with governments and working with passenger groups, embarks on a series of pilot schemes where these proposals can be trialled.

These will mean change can be worked through, mapped and understood. The pilots will provide a means to build up trust and confidence in any new structure. Transport Focus will ensure that the voice of passengers is heard in this process.

The current process is broken and its faults are well known. The time for piecemeal change has gone — we need root-and-branch reform to maximise the benefits and boost value for money.

  • Anthony Smith is chief executive of passenger watchdog Transport Focus.