• February 5, 2023

Return train tickets to be scrapped across UK rail network in major shake-up of ticket pricing

LONDON Feb 5: Buying two single train tickets will become the new normal as return tickets are scrapped. This change will be announced in Westminster on Tuesday, February 7.

Among the changes, the price of two singles will equate to the price of a return on the same journey – meaning there will be no need for a return ticket. Mr Harper will also confirm the creation of Great British Railways to take on responsibility for timetables and tickets, combing management of tracks and trains.

According to the Rail Delivery Group there are currently 55 million different fares for train tickets in the UK. Mr Harper is expected to announce a complete overhaul – including the scrapping of paper tickets, the use of QR codes and the spread of ‘Oyster Card;’ technology as is used in London.

In October, Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan told MPs that the Government had axed its plan to introduce a Transport Bill during the current parliamentary session because legislation to deal with the energy crisis was being prioritised.