Ticketing overhaul on trains can benefit West Midlands, say transport bosses
An overhaul of ticketing on Britain's railways will help speed up the introduction of an 'Oyster card'-style system in the West Midlands, transport bosses have said.
Ministers have announced plans to simplify the purchase of tickets as part of the biggest shake up of the rail network in 25 years.
It will see new state-owned body Great British Railways (GBR) set timetables and prices, and also take charge of a new, simplified ticketing system.
Transport bosses in the West Midlands say the new system could help to fast track their own plans, which include bringing in capped fares across all modes of public transport via a single payment method.
Maria Machancoses, CEO of Midlands Connect, said: "This simplified system will make it a great deal easier to develop and implement an ‘oyster-style’ smart ticketing system for our region – including the simplification of fares.
"While it’s great that flexible season tickets are being deployed to support flexible working post-Covid, a multi-modal, capped and contactless payment system is what’s truly needed.
"Flexible ticketing should go beyond rail and we look forward to working with GBR in developing an affordable ‘tap and cap’ scheme that works across all public transport modes."
She added that the raft of changes could have "huge benefits" for travellers, while operators will be rewarded for delivering "what passengers want most – trains that run on time, friendly service and clean stations".
But she warned the changes must not result in decisions about local services being taken away from the region.
"The rail network has become very fragmented over the last 20 years, so coordinating the network via a centralised organisation, the ‘Great British Railway’ presents many opportunities, including providing the public with much needed clarity on decision making – who is ultimately responsible for what," Ms Machancoses said.
"However, this centralisation also presents risks – namely that the new structure will be less agile or have a lesser understanding of local issues than the previous franchising model.
"We must prevent decisions about local services being made centrally, impeded by a limited understanding of the local area, its economic needs or people that live there.
"As we continue to identify and develop the key strategic rail priorities for the region, Midlands Connect, alongside our local councils is best placed to support Government and the proposed GBR in achieving this."
