Posted 19th September 2024 | 4 Comments

Campaigners set out proposals for flat-fare rail card

The environmental charity Greenpeace has published proposals for a new flat-fare rail card, possibly costing £49 a month, which would allow unlimited travel on most trains.

The plan has been drawn up on behalf of Greenpeace by the high speed rail lobby group Greengauge21.

Some limits are likely. The card might not be valid on intercity services and could require a ‘top-up’ fare in the London area. The report also suggests that it could be first be made available in the North and Midlands of England as well as perhaps Scotland and South West England, to help balance the difference in spending on transport between those regions and the South East. It might also be issued only to younger people, at least at first.

The report, Fare Britannia, says such a reform would help to combat climate change by reducing carbon emissions from cars if their drivers started to use trains instead. It adds: ‘Transport itself is now the most stubbornly high emitting sector. Decarbonising cars and vans is essential.’

It concedes that electric vehicles will help, but also points out that many internal combustion cars are set to stay on the roads until the 2040s.

The report makes the case for reform, saying: ‘Without a different approach to ticketing – cheaper, simpler and more integrated across modes – the current damaging unsustainable status quo will continue.’

Such a card is already available in some continental countries. The first ‘Climate Card’ was launched in Austria in October 2021, to encourage people to switch to more energy efficient forms of transport. Germany followed suit, and there are now broadly similar products in Hungary, France and Portugal.

However, some countries have placed limits on the scheme, because of financial hurdles. In France, the Paris region elected to be excluded, because it was estimated that it would cost that region €18 billion a year. As in other countries, the French version cost €49, but it was only available in 2024 to about 700,000 people under the age of 27, and only during July and August.

Even so, the report goes on to claim that ‘The economic benefits will be experienced most across the English regions (and devolved nations, assuming the Scottish and Welsh authorities elect to join the scheme). It will help people access jobs and allow businesses to expand their employee catchments. It will encourage domestic and inward tourism, especially to less visited parts of the country.’

Such a card could be issued within three years, co-ordinated by Great British Railways.

In the report’s Foreword, Professor David Begg says: ‘Since 2010 fuel duty has been cut by 34 per cent in real terms costing the Treasury around £100 billion in lost revenue. This has made rail travel much less competitive compared to its main competitor, the car.

‘The pro car stance taken by the previous Government has come at a cost in terms of fewer trips by public transport, more traffic and congestion on the roads and increased CO2. The new Government needs to be fully aware of the consequences of continuing to reduce fuel duty in real terms which is why it is imperative that innovative measures should be considered.’

The Department for Transport said: ‘This government is committed to encouraging greener ways to travel and improving the state of public transport. That’s why we’re empowering local leaders to deliver better bus services, overhauling our railways to put passengers first and simplifying ticketing to deliver better value for money when taking the train.’

Reader Comments:

Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.

  • david C smith, Bletchley

    Another aspect of fares structuring lies with whether there is "straight" head to head competition between operators offering the same type of product, or between services on the same route that aim at different types of potential users. Examples currently include "Flix Train" in continental Europe , with low frequency / slower speed using depreciated trainsets , giving lower cost options on main intercity routes ; a similar concept to the "Highwayman " on BR some years ago, and "Lumo" presently.
    [The principle goes back to Victorian times, when individual companies charged 'Express' supplements on the fastest and most luxurious trains, while only the stoppers with much older and more basic rolling stock admitted Third Class passengers. It could also be seen on intercity routes much more recently when 'Pullman' trains also charged a supplement.--Ed.]

  • david C smith, Bletchley

    One possible way to deal with differentials in terms of pence per mile on
    particular journeys might be to limit the allowed range this parameter can take on all operators offering this particular service. .

    This should prevent too much cross- subsidisation giving a raw deal to potential passengers wanting to make journeys.that are natural monopolies.without the possibility of competition.

  • Andrew, Ely

    It's all very well helping people with their travel needs, but the concept of unlimited travel needs challenging. Quite apart from the environmental consequences of encouraging more casual travel, the danger is that so much new rail traffic is generated that capacity of track, other infrastructure and rolling stock is overwhelmed.

    Maybe the card also needs to be restricted to the card-holder's home region, valid only in off-peak times, and/or with a maximum journey time or distance per day - the whole south-east need not then be excluded. On the other hand, an extension to include buses, trams and metro systems should be considered.

  • king arthur, buckley

    'Decarbonising cars and vans is essential.’ There would be no environmental benefits whatsoever from doing this, so I'm assuming they mean it's essential if certain individuals are to maintain their wealth and influence. Reading Greenpeace's other publications they call for an end to virtually all modes of mass transportation but can only advocate electric vehicles, walking and cycling and working from home, which is really a campaign for a future where most people do not travel at all.

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