Rail passengers have been promised a better and more efficient service under the biggest shake-up in decades. A new state-owned body, Great British Railways (GBR), will set timetables and prices, sell tickets in England and manage rail infrastructure.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said it would replace an 'overcomplicated and fragmented' system. He told the BBC the changes did not mean fares would inevitably rise, but could not give guarantees. Asked if the changes meant rising ticket prices, Mr Shapps said: 'No, is the answer.' But he added: 'I'm not here to give guarantees for years to come.'
The reforms follow the chaotic introduction of new timetables in May 2018 and years of complaints about the 'fragmented' franchising system, which has been scrapped. GBR will replace the current track operator, Network Rail, in 2023 and the government says the new system will look more like Transport for London, with multiple operators under one brand.
There will also be changes to make travel smoother, including simplifying the purchase of tickets and a 'significant rollout' of more pay-as-you-go, contactless and digital ticketing on smartphones. From next month, flexible season tickets will be available for some people who commute two or three times a week, offering savings on certain routes.
