'Open Data' access to rail fares information.

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

Could we soon be seeing Avantix^▸ (Ticket Issuing System used on board trains) Traveller free online and/or public access to 'The Manual'?

Drilled down additional details following the Chanceller of the Exchequer's Autumn statement would appear to suggest that this data could soon be in the public domain.

From the Cabinet Office:

Rail fares data - The Government will consult in early 2012, through the Fares and Ticketing Review, on providing open access to rail fares data, giving passengers and business better information and enabling them to make the most cost-effective travel choices.

• DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) will work with the rail industry to ensure that full data on rail fares is made available to passengers and business. DfT will consult as part of its Fares and Ticketing Review on how the rail industry could provide this data in a way that protects passengers against potential misinterpretation of complex data on fares levels and restrictions. In addition, DfT will set out a way forward for Rail Transparency including Open Data in the forthcoming Rail Command Paper.
• Releasing this data will boost the market for fare finding and comparison services such as online search engines or mobile apps. This could also include comparisons between different modes of transport. We would expect this to result in savings for passengers and business.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Cabinet Office:

We would expect this to result in savings for passengers and business.

... and so a potential loss of no doubt currently very welcome revenue to the Government (Department for Transport)?