Norman Baker MP Member of Parliament for Lewes constituency
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Local MP Loses Patience Over Delayed Arrival Of Cheaper Rail Fares
Lewes MP, Norman Baker has joined dozens of MPs in calling for a national discount railcard in a bid to switch more journeys from car to rail by making off-peak rail travel more attractive. The move follows hints last weekend that rail fares might rise still further as a result of the Government's Rail Review and comes one year after Secretary of State Alistair Darling, who today lent his support to the campaign, asked the rail industry to introduce a national railcard. The MPs and rail campaigners want to know why they are still waiting.
In an event organised today by campaign group Transport 2000 opposite the Houses of Parliament in central London, MPs filled in dummy 'applications' for railcards and received a giant replica 'railcard' in return from a 'ticket inspector'. At the same time, MPs tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons calling for the rail industry to introduce a railcard "at the earliest possible opportunity".
A national railcard would offer discount off-peak rail travel and encourage regular use of rail for journeys and greater customer loyalty, argues Transport 2000. At the moment there are discount railcards for certain types of rail user, eg senior citizens, young people and families, and the Network Railcard for journeys in the South-east and a railcard for residents of the Scottish Highlands, but no overall card that would be available to anyone for travel anywhere in Britain. Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Holland all have general railcards.
The call for a national railcard forms a central plank in the Way to Go Campaign for better transport, signed up to by around 30 environmental, transport and social justice organisations in the run up to the Ten Year Transport Plan Review this summer.
Norman commented:
"It is a year since the Government asked the rail industry to develop a national railcard, so why no explanation for its late arrival? When everyone is agreed we need to do more to get people out of their cars and onto our railways, a national railcard is long overdue."
"I agree with Transport 2000 that we pay some of the highest rail fares in Europe and have some of Europe's most congested roads. A national railcard would go some way to addressing both these problems. The Government announces the results of its Rail Review in the next few weeks. Rumours are already circulating that there might be major fares rises and cuts in services. This would cut completely against the aim of reducing roads congestion and increasing rail use. Instead we need an affordable, passenger-friendly railway. A national railcard would be a great first step.
"Alistair Darling talks about his intention to encourage more people to travel by train and has asked the Strategic Rail Authority and the industry to work up proposals for a national railcard. However, the proof of the pudding is in the easting when we hear back from the SRA on this later this year."