Reduced Train Fares Implemented by Northern England's Public Rail Services
The collaboration between LNER, TransPennine Express, Northern, and Network Rail continues to focus on routes that require an interchange between the operators, as part of an effort to improve rail travel options and encourage more people to use trains instead of cars. This initiative is part of the UK's Plan for Change, aiming to open up more options for people traveling across the North and boost connectivity and growth.
Using mobile network data, the joint venture has identified underperforming travel flows for cross-operator advance journey options and introduced more affordable fares. The pilot project, initiated by the UK Department for Transport before its start in June 2024, has been in operation for over a year now.
Analysis of mobile network data showed that rail's modal share was low between Leeds and Manchester despite competitive journey times compared to car. The low rail modal share was found to be due to a lack of consistent ticket options for train journeys involving more than one operator. The initiative aims to address this issue, providing more options for people traveling across the North.
Lord Peter Hendy, the UK rail minister, has praised the initiative, stating it allows for putting passengers first by making train travel simpler and more affordable. The initiative, launched in collaboration with Network Rail, has generated an additional Β£200,000 in revenue for the railway since its implementation. However, no information about the potential impact of the initiative on overall rail usage or ticket sales was provided.
The fourth annual CiTTi Awards will recognize achievements and innovations in public transport planning on 25 November 2025 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. This event is an unmissable opportunity for the UK's transportation sector, as detailed on www.cittiawards.co.uk. The joint initiative between LNER, TransPennine Express, and Northern is expected to be among the nominees for its significant contributions to rail travel in the UK.
