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Dr Brian Mawhinney, Secretary of State for Transport, today welcomed the announcement by the Rail Regulator John Swift QC, of new safeguards for ticketing arrangements for the railway.
In January, Mr Swift consulted on future ticketing options for passenger train operators in the restructured industry. He has now settled his policy approach in this area and published his conclusions. He has decided to require the maintenance of the current retailing arrangements subject to a ‘change procedure’ for developing arrangements in future.
Commenting on the announcement, Dr Mawhinney said:
"This is more good news for passengers. As a result of the Regulator's decision ticket retailing at all 1,300 manned stations will be protected. This is welcome and a further demonstration that privatisation moves forward with the passenger firmly in mind.
"When John Swift started his consultation he was concerned to protect the interests of passengers. He also wanted to allow operators the scope to develop improved systems for ticket sales and to ensure that costs were in proportion to customer benefits. From the outset he acknowledged that through ticketing was essential to the maintenance of network benefits for passengers. In this, he mirrored the Government's commitment to through ticketing.
"I welcome the approach he has decided to adopt which will ensure that the present arrangements which passengers clearly find so valuable will be maintained and built upon in future.
"I firmly believe this will result in an improved service for passengers which, as I have made clear, is a fundamental aim of our privatisation policy."
Dr Mawhinney went on to say:
"This shows the consultation process working properly. These decisions are no longer taken behind closed doors. Instead the public has the opportunity to make its views known and the encouragement of having its views taken into account."
NOTE FOR EDITORS
1. Full details of the Rail Regulator's decisions are contained in his policy statement - Ticket Retailing: A Policy Statement. Copies of the report and related press release are available from the Rail Regulator's press office (telephone 0171-282- 2002).
