News

As announced by the Secretary of State for Transport in January, the Northern franchise will change on Sunday 1 March.

Given by Rt. Hon. Sir Patrick McLoughlin CH

Paul Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, said:

Train companies across Great Britain are offering fee-free refunds for rail tickets purchased in China, following the outbreak of Coronavirus which will prevent tourists visiting the country.

Passenger satisfaction with rail journeys is up three percentage points year-on-year, according to the most recent survey of 28,000 passengers published today by the independent watchdog Transport Focus.

Train fares will rise on average by 2.7% next year. This is the third year in a row that train companies have held the average change across all fares below the July RPI rate of inflation, which regulated fares are pegged to.

Next year nine operators are introducing new and upgraded trains across the country as part of an industry commitment to replace half of Britain’s train fleet new for old, improving accessibility and journey information for passengers.

• 1,000 extra services per week to be added as part of rail industry plan to improve journeys, boost local economies and better connect communities
• Rail companies are asking passengers to check before they travel as many train times are changing in the new timetable starting this Sunday
• The industry is prioritising punctuality and reliability as it works together to prepare for the change

Scotty’s Little Soldiers, the national charity that supports children of servicemen and women who have lost their lives, will be giving over 170 bereaved British Forces children from all over the UK a reason to smile this weekend when they attend a very special Christmas party in London.

Responding to a proposal to reform the fares system and reduce some fares, a spokesman for the Rail Delivery Group, speaking on behalf of train operators, said:

Dominic Lund-Conlon, accessibility expert at the Rail Delivery Group, was announced as one of the most influential people with a disability in the UK yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 8 October).

Train companies are relaxing ticket rules to help Thomas Cook customers and staff affected by the company’s collapse.