Agreement Reached to Save Rail Travelcards

Published on: 25 Oct, 2023
Updated on: 26 Oct, 2023

Train companies, represented by Rail Delivery Group (RDG) and Transport for London (TfL) have reached an agreement which means Day Travelcards can continue to be bought by customers as part of their train tickets to London.

This ends months of speculation about the future of this ticket, which offer rail customers freedom to use all bus, Tube and train services within the London zones.

See: SCC to Ask London Mayor to Scrap Plans to Withdraw Travelcards

This agreement follows a long period of negotiation by RDG representing train operators, TfL and the Department for Transport (DfT) to find a solution which secures the future of the tickets while at the same time enabling TfL to meet its budget commitments.

Cllr Matt Furniss

Reacting to the news, County Councillor Matt Furniss (Con, Shalford) said: “Ensuring that public transport is affordable and accessible to all has rightly been outlined as a priority for both Surrey County Council and the London Assembly — and the Day Travelcard alleviates higher fares for certain passengers travelling into and around the capital.

“I am pleased that TfL has agreed to keep the Travel Card which many of Surrey’s residents use.

“I believe that we could see wider benefit over a larger area of Surrey through looking at a joined-up approach to ticketing solutions for the region which is why we will continue to campaign for Zone 6 extension into Surrey, which would generate a wider benefit and to secure appropriate equity for Surrey residents and businesses.”

Paul Bowden, Commercial Director at RDG, said: “I think it is a great outcome for customers that we’re able to keep this popular ticket, which offers customers complete travel flexibility in London. There has been a huge amount of work behind the scenes, with the industry working together with a firm focus on customers’ interests”.

Huw Merriman MP

Rail Minister, Huw Merriman said: “The Travelcard is an invaluable way of encouraging commuters and visitors to travel into London, hugely boosting the economy in the process – I’m pleased that following a Government intervention, working with TfL and the train operators, we were able to save it.

“Alongside the more than £6 billion we have already given to TfL over the past three years, this is just another way the Government is helping Londoners, its millions of visitors and all those who commute into our capital get around for less.”

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London

And the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “I’m delighted that we have managed to save the Day Travelcard. As part of the Covid-19 financial deal TfL made with the Government, there is a requirement to make savings of £600m. I refused to countenance removing weekly, monthly or season travelcards and today I am pleased to confirm the Day Travelcard is also now safe.

“The offer now on the table saves a much-valued product for visitors to London, while giving TfL a fairer share of ticket revenue.”

The proposal also includes a one-off price increase on Day Travelcards for travel from stations outside Zones 1-6 as part of a National Rail ticket from March 2024 (on average 3 per cent) which will be in addition to any general regulated fares increase at the time.