Changes to evening peak rail fares not in passengers interests

TravelWatch NorthWest (TWNW) says it "deplores" the decision by Northern Rail to ban the use of off-peak tickets at peak times during weekday evenings on all local rail services in Greater Manchester.

The changes, which will apply between 16.01 and 18.29 hours, are being made after the Department for Transport asked Northern to look at several options to help reduce subsidy as part of its new franchise agreement.

Chairman Chris Dale said: "This is a blunt instrument which will particularly hit those passengers travelling against the peak flow for an evening out in Manchester, when trains are not generally crowded. Lines where service frequencies are low will be especially adversely affected."

TWNW understands that similar restrictions in London apply only to the direction of peak travel, i.e. into London in the morning peak and out of London in the evening. For example, a journey from Watford Junction to London Euston for an evening out leaving at 17.15 and returning at 22.15 would qualify for an off peak fare.

Chris Dale continued: "Yet again the North West is discriminated against.

"This decision must be reviewed."