Plans for centralised online ticket sales abandoned

[whole diary]

[grahame]

FromRail Advent and I'm sure there's a link somewhere to the original announcement

The government has announced that it is no longer pursuing plans for Great British Railways to operate a centralised online rail ticket ticketing system.

Despite concerns about ‘drip pricing' by private retailers, the Conservative government asserts that, “The private sector plays an important role in driving innovation and attracting more customers to the railway”.

It explains that its focus is on opening up railway data and systems, and making it easier for private ticket retailers to access the market.

[ellendune]

Yes, but from an on-line sales point of view it seems to me that the private sector in ticket sales (excluding TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company)) plays an important part in skimming off extra money from passengers. 

[Electric train]

FromRail Advent and I'm sure there's a link somewhere to the original announcement

The government has announced that it is no longer pursuing plans for Great British Railways to operate a centralised online rail ticket ticketing system.

Despite concerns about ‘drip pricing' by private retailers, the Conservative government asserts that, “The private sector plays an important role in driving innovation and attracting more customers to the railway”.

It explains that its focus is on opening up railway data and systems, and making it easier for private ticket retailers to access the market.

Sounds more the likes of Trainline have successfully lobbied MP^▸ (Member of Parliament)'s and Ministers. 

Shows that the current brood in power don't like the GBR^▸ (Great British Railways) concept 

[stuving]

FromRail Advent and I'm sure there's a link somewhere to the original announcement

It's another unannounced announcement - an update last Thursday to the host page for the Shapps-Williams white paper:

Update on centralised Great British Railways online rail ticket retailer: December 2023

As set out in the white paper, we are committed to improving passenger experience on the railways.

The private sector plays an important role in driving innovation and attracting more customers to the railway. As stated in the Bradshaw Address, we are focused on opening up railway data and systems, lowering barriers to entry for independent rail ticket retailers to improve passenger experience. We are confirming that we are not pursuing plans to deliver a centralised Great British Railways online rail ticket retailer.

Train operators will continue to retail to passengers online alongside existing third-party retailers while we develop measures to spur further competition in the online rail ticket retail market to make things better for passengers.

[grahame]

Train operators will continue to retail to passengers online alongside existing third-party retailers while we develop measures to spur further competition in the online rail ticket retail market to make things better for passengers.

Excellent intent. I'm afraid I'm not re-assured that adding measures WILL make thins better - it may just add to the confusion.  I also note "WHILE we develop" ... and perhaps I'm being pedantic, but that does not offer me any re-assurance that the train operator will continue to retail tickets once the measures have been brought it. 

[TaplowGreen]

Train operators will continue to retail to passengers online alongside existing third-party retailers while we develop measures to spur further competition in the online rail ticket retail market to make things better for passengers.

Excellent intent. I'm afraid I'm not re-assured that adding measures WILL make thins better - it may just add to the confusion.  I also note "WHILE we develop" ... and perhaps I'm being pedantic, but that does not offer me any re-assurance that the train operator will continue to retail tickets once the measures have been brought it. 

I would imagine there's a cost to TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) in providing a ticket selling platform, is it something they'd happily let the likes of The Trainline do for them?

[ellendune]

Shows that the current brood in power don't like the GBR^▸ (Great British Railways) concept 

Mark Harper has as good as said that.  He sees GBR as incompatible with private sector involvement, according to Christian Wolmar (Rail 998) reporting on Mark Harper's appearance before the Transport Select Committee.

Harper repeated the old trope that only the private sector will respond to financial incentives that are designed to increase passenger numbers. The current structure, with all the financial risk being taken by the government, will (according to Harper and those around him) mean there is no mechanism to stimulate growth.

[RailCornwall]

Thankfully this hairbrained scheme has been dropped. Allowing others to compete and undercut give offers (Such as the 8pct off all fares recently by LNER^» (London North Eastern Railway - about) - If you knew where to look) should be the way forward.