Once GBR is established by legislation, individual train operator websites will be replaced, but the private sector ‘will continue to play a key role’

 
Government will rollout a single online retail platform for rail ticketing

 
Individual train operator websites across England, Scotland and Wales will be replaced by a single online retail platform after Great British Railways has been established, the Department for Transport announced this week.

A DfT statement said: “[GBR] will work alongside a thriving private sector retail market, where all rail retailers can compete in an open and fair manner. The private sector will continue to play a key role in driving growth through innovation and investment and encouraging more people to choose rail.”

Exact plans for GBR online retail and ensuring a fair and competitive market will now be developed over time in close partnership with industry and the private sector. Further detail will be consulted on as part of wider proposals to establish Great British Railways, which will be delivered via the Railways Bill.

It is intended that GBR will deliver on the government’s commitment to simplify the complex web of fares and tickets that currently exist, allowing passengers to buy tickets both online and offline. Over the coming months the DfT said it would set out more detail about how, through GBR, it will modernise working practices, make tickets simpler and fairer, and deliver a better deal for passengers and taxpayers alike.

[GBR] will work alongside a thriving private sector retail market

Mark Plowright of independent ticketing retailer Virgin Trains Ticketing, said: “Virgin Trains Ticketing is an advocate of a vibrant rail ticketing market as a competitive industry benefits rail passengers across the UK.”

He continued: “However, there’s still much more work to be done to simplify rail tickets and make train travel less confusing for passengers which is why Virgin Trains Ticketing continues to campaign for more straightforward ticketing. Consumers should be able to make informed decisions about the best ticket for them and all ticket retailers should have access to the same deals and offers to enable this.”

Anthony Smith, chair of Independent Rail Retailers, commented: “Independent Rail Retailers welcome today’s clarification regarding Great British Railways’ retailing plans, which are expected to come into being in a number of years’ time.

Open and fair competition will help to drive innovation and reduce costs

“Open and fair competition will help to drive innovation and reduce costs, and we look forward to continuing to work in partnership with the Department for Transport and the rail industry to make buying a ticket simpler, easier and better value.”

Commenting on the Rail Sale earlier this month, Smith pointed out that booking through third-party retailers could save even more, thanks to extra options like split-ticketing. He said: “Retailers are here to make rail travel as convenient and affordable as possible.”

 
This article appears in the latest issue of Passenger Transport.

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