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Web-only rail discounts condemned Rail-discount web focus condemned
(about 3 hours later)
Cheap web-only rail fares undermine the whole basis of the railways as a public service, a report by MPs has said. It is "unacceptable" that low-cost rail fares are easily available only to those with internet access, MPs say.
Excluding people without access to the internet or time to search was "unacceptable", the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee said. The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee said people without use of the internet or time to search should have the same access to low fares.
It also said government plans to bring 1,300 new carriages into service by 2014 looked "over-optimistic". The MPs also said government plans to bring 1,300 new carriages into service by 2014 looked "over-optimistic".
Transport minister Lord Adonis said many cheaper, advance fares were also available by telephone and at stations. Train operators said fare structures had been simplified and that tickets could be bought in a variety of ways.
The MPs' report said there were only 423 carriages on order so far, with another 150 the subject of negotiations. Readily available
'Looming collapse' The Public Accounts Committee report said that while the Department for Transport (DfT) set requirements for service frequency and punctuality it did not measure rising car park charges, complex fares and overcrowding.
It added that as revenues fell some train companies could fail, but the government should still hold them to their financial commitments.
It also suggested some train firms might ask the Department for Transport (DfT) to "relax their contractual obligations".
This is a damning indictment of the way the government has failed train passengers for over a decade Norman BakerLib-Dem transport spokesmanThis is a damning indictment of the way the government has failed train passengers for over a decade Norman BakerLib-Dem transport spokesman
"In some cases problems that are temporary in nature will be managed through parent company support for additional bank finance," the report said. Chairman Edward Leigh said: "It is unacceptable that you have to have access to the internet to get the cheapest fares.
"Those without such access, without time to search or who travel at short notice are stuck with paying through the nose.
"Fare structures should be easy to understand and the cheapest fare for a journey should be publicised and readily available at station ticket offices."
The MPs' report also said that despite plans to have 1,300 new carriages in service by 2013, only 423 had been ordered so far, with another 150 the subject of negotiations.
'Multiple failure'
It added that as revenues fell some train companies could fail, but the government should still hold them to their financial commitments.
And it suggested some train firms might ask the DfT to "relax their contractual obligations".
"The department should explore all options and develop robust contingency plans to keep train services running in the event of multiple failure.""The department should explore all options and develop robust contingency plans to keep train services running in the event of multiple failure."
Bob Crow, leader of the Rail Maritime and Transport union, said the government should step in now to begin re-nationalisation. Rail, Maritime and Transport union leader Bob Crow said the government should step in now to begin re-nationalisation.
He said: "Rather than listening to the whinging from companies who have made a mess of their financial projections, we are calling on the government to step in now... to restore order to the railways."He said: "Rather than listening to the whinging from companies who have made a mess of their financial projections, we are calling on the government to step in now... to restore order to the railways."
He added that MPs had recognised the "potential chaos" from the "looming collapse" of major franchises like the National Express on the East Coast Line.
'Complex fares'
National Express is expected to pay £1.4bn in premiums for its East Coast Main Line franchise, which lasts until 2015.
Committee chairman Edward Leigh said the DfT had shown it could protect taxpayers' interest by its approach to the letting of franchises.
But he said it was less good at considering the damaging side-effects of that approach to passengers.
£15bn will be invested over the next five years, the government says£15bn will be invested over the next five years, the government says
"It is unacceptable that you have to have access to the internet to get the cheapest fares," he said. Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker said: "This is a damning indictment of the way the government has failed train passengers for over a decade.
"Those without such access, without time to search or who travel at short notice are stuck with paying through the nose.
"Fare structures should be easy to understand and the cheapest fare for a journey should be publicised and readily available at station ticket offices."
While the DfT set requirements for service frequency and punctuality it did not measure rising car park charges, complex fares and overcrowding, the report said.
Michelle Mitchell, charity director at Age Concern and Help the Aged, said it was unfair to penalise the 70% of older people who have never used the internet.
"These price-saving deals could very easily be offered at the ticket office without additional cost," she said.
Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker said longer franchises requiring companies to improve services and reduce overcrowding would provide better value for money.
"This is a damning indictment of the way the government has failed train passengers for over a decade," he said.
"Prices have been allowed to mount to an unacceptable level with British passengers paying the highest train fares in Europe.""Prices have been allowed to mount to an unacceptable level with British passengers paying the highest train fares in Europe."
But transport minister Andrew Adonis said he was committed to making the railways better for passengers. But transport minister Andrew Adonis said the government was committed to improving the railways and was investing £15bn on railways over the next five years.
"That is why we are investing £15bn on the railways over the next five years," he said. "We will also hold rail companies to their contractual obligations and we will not allow most fares to rise by any more than 1% above inflation next year," he added.
"We will also hold rail companies to their contractual obligations and we will not allow most fares to rise by any more than 1% above inflation next year." Association Of Train Operating Companies commercial director David Mapp said: "Train companies have worked hard to simplify the fares structure and make it easier for people to get the best deals.
"Last year fares were simplified into three types - advance, off-peak and anytime.
The world-leading National Rail Enquiries service provides full information on fares, and passengers can buy tickets, including advance fares, through a range of channels including stations, the internet and by telephone."