Ticketing and Concessionary Travel on Public Transport - United ...

Ev 74 Transport Committee: Evidence
7. What appeal mechanisms exist for passengers, <strong>and</strong> are they adequate?
7.1 There is no doubt that the area of rail penalty fares is a sensitive one that requires the highest
st<strong>and</strong>ards of stewardship. To ensure that stewardship is carried out in a fair <strong>and</strong> reasonable way, passengers
currently have the right of appeal to an independent appeals body IPFAS (the Independent Penalty Fares
Appeals Service).
7.2 In the case of buses, Stagecoach companies have not experienced any issues that they have been
unable to resolve with those who have been charged penalty fares. Should it prove necessary, the TraYc
Commissioner would arbitrate in such cases.
8. Are the rights of passengers <strong>and</strong> the powers of ticket inspectors well-balanced?
8.1 Clearly, one of the keys to a successful revenue protection policy is communication, ensuring
passengers know what the rules are, how they are to be applied <strong>and</strong> what recompense is available. It is clearly
in everyone’s interest, not least that of the genuine fare-paying passenger, that all available revenue is
collected. The best environment is one where a combination of education <strong>and</strong> enforcement convinces people
it is simply not worthwhile economically trying to travel without a ticket.
8.2 However, it can sometimes be diYcult for bus ticket inspectors to establish a person’s identity, which
can make penalty fares diYcult to collect.
9. Do operators of public transport take adequate measures to protect fares revenue?
9.1 Stagecoach, through its bus <strong>and</strong> rail companies, is adequately incentivised to collect as much revenue
as possible from passengers <strong>and</strong> to do everything possible to minimise ticketless travel.
9.2 Stagecoach designs its bus ticketing systems to enable drivers to visually check all prepaid tickets,
which itself limits fares evasion. The introduction of smartcards would enable more sophisticated fares
oVers, which are currently precluded by this visual inspection constraint.
<strong>Concessionary</strong> Fares—The Right Strategy?
10. Is the Government’s concessionary fares strategy, including the proposed scheme for concessionary bus
travel, adequate?
10.1 Stagecoach would ideally like to see a nationally administered concessionary travel scheme in
Engl<strong>and</strong>, modelled broadly on the Scottish arrangements. 10.2 While it is for DfT to determine how the
English national scheme will function, Stagecoach would wish DfT to ensure that the funds available to
reimburse operators under the scheme are suYcient to minimise the need for appeals against the proposed
reimbursement arrangements.10.3 Stagecoach would also welcome the use of smartcards by all
concessionary bus pass holders as this would minimise the potential for fraudulent use <strong>and</strong> provide accurate
recording of trips made, thereby aiding reimbursement arrangements.
11. Are concessionary fares schemes suYciently integrated across diVerent modes of transport <strong>and</strong> diVerent
geographical areas?
11.1 The introduction of English national concessionary travel on buses from April 2008 will increase the
geographic coverage of concessionary travel significantly.
11.2 Local concessionary authorities are currently able to extend the concessions to tram <strong>and</strong> rail modes
if they so wish <strong>and</strong> some already do so, within their area of jurisdiction.
11.3 Whether or not such facilities should be provided across all modes nationwide, or across the whole
of Great Britain is a matter for Government.
March 2007
Memor<strong>and</strong>um from Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority <strong>and</strong> Executive (GMPTAE)
(TPT 08)
Summary
— The range <strong>and</strong> pricing of public transport tickets available in Greater Manchester is over-complex
<strong>and</strong> acts as a disincentive for passengers to travel <strong>and</strong> to change between modes or services.
— On-bus cash fares <strong>and</strong> ticket sales cause significant boarding delays <strong>and</strong> can negate much of the
investment that has taken place in bus priority measures.