Passengers ditch season tickets in favour of single journeys as disruption takes its toll

Passengers are continuing to ditch season tickets, suggesting a loss of confidence caused by disruption on Britain’s railways.

The number of season ticket journeys for the second quarter this year was 143m – the lowest level since the second quarter of 2010-11.

By contrast, the number of journeys using one-time advance, anytime and off-peak tickets increased by 9m compared with the second quarter of last year.

Overall rail journeys in the second quarter of this year increased by 1.9 per cent to 434m, driven by an increase in journeys in London and the south east.

Anthony Smith, chief executive of the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said: “What’s clear is that passengers want a reliable service and a fares system they can trust and that suits the way they travel now. The railway needs to catch up with the way people travel and offer better-value ticket options to reflect flexible working patterns.”

Today the transport watchdog called on passengers to claim compensation for the disruption caused by the May timetable upgrade, which led to widespread cancellations, delays and overcrowding, in time for 31 January deadline.

Transport Focus said rail passengers were not claiming compensation they are owned because they did not think they were eligible.

Smith added: “It’s important that more Govia Thameslink Railway passengers claim compensation before the deadline, so they send a clear message to the rail industry. Make a claim, make sure your voice is heard!”

“While many passengers who’ve already claimed say that they found the process of doing so easy, there are many more Thameslink and Great Northern passengers who are eligible.

“Govia Thameslink Railway can do more to raise awareness among passengers who travelled on daily tickets, including those issued by Transport for London or those using an Oyster card.”