Long term rail plans – transport watchdog comment

09 December 2021

Today Great British Railways launched a consultation for its 30-year whole industry strategic plan.

Anthony Smith, chief executive of the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said:

“The starting gun has now been fired on a true long-term plan for the railway. Transport Focus will help Great British Railways get passengers’ views at the heart of its thinking using our wide range of passenger insight. It is also an important opportunity for people to have their say.”

Notes to editors

• We know that passengers’ priorities are reliability, cleanliness, space to sit and stand comfortably, good quality information and value for money.
  • 2020 report on passenger priorities: https://www.transportfocus.org.uk/publication/rail-passengers-priorities-for-improvement-2/
  • November 2020 report looking at how priorities have changed in light of Covid-19: https://www.transportfocus.org.uk/publication/transport-user-community-rail-and-bus-priorities/
• The long-term reform of rail fares and tickets will form a key part of this jigsaw. Flexible rail tickets are needed to suit the way more people are now travelling and spearhead the drive for growth in passenger numbers and revenue that will be needed to accompany cost control.