Rail Delivery Group responds to the ORR's Independent review of train operators’ revenue protection practices

A spokesperson for Rail Delivery Group, said: “We welcome the ORR’s sensible recommendations to standardise revenue-protection practices, remove complexity and improve transparency for customers. The rail industry will work on implementing the recommendations in line with our plans to create a simpler, better-value fares system.

“Fare evasion remains a significant challenge for the industry, costing the railway hundreds of millions of pounds each year. That’s money that can’t be used to improve services, which increases the burden on customers and taxpayers. So we need to strike the right balance addressing genuine, honest mistakes made by customers and taking firm action against those who deliberately and persistently seek to exploit the system.

“The rail industry is taking concrete steps to simplify fares, ticketing and retail which will lay the foundation for GBR to adopt and build upon, ensuring revenue-protection practices are proportionate, transparent, and customer-focused."