Travelling on trains in the UK isn’t exactly rocket science, but it could certainly be simpler (and cheaper). What if instead of peak and off-peak fares, all the different railcards and messing about with split-ticketing, rail users could get wherever they like with just one simple ticket? Sounds dreamy.
Well, soon you might actually be able to, because the non-profit transport thinktank Greengauge 21 is calling for a UK railcard that would provide unlimited travel around the country for less than £50 per month.
The report commissioned by Greenpeace estimates that a UK-wide railcard could generate an additional 122 million train rides, replacing 40 million car journeys and reducing emissions by 380,000 tonnes of carbon.
With car journeys accounting for a seriously high proportion of the UK’s carbon emissions, the Fare Britannia report makes a strong case that cheaper train travel means people wouldn't have to be so reliant on four wheels to get about, especially in areas outside of London.
Paul Morozzo, a senior transport campaigner at Greenpeace UK told the Guardian: ‘Our current rail fare system is far too complicated, confusing and expensive – it’s time to redesign it with passengers in mind. A monthly climate card would simplify the ticketing system, save commuters hundreds of pounds a month and cut emissions – a triple win.’
The card wouldn’t be compulsory for train users, and passengers would theoretically have the choice of whether they want to pay for the subscription service to use ordinary ticketing. But for £49, we can’t think why you wouldn’t want to sign up for this.
And while it might be nice for our wallets, the report has also found that an uptake in the card could result in a loss of anywhere between £45m to £637m in revenues for railways.
You can read the full report here. In the meantime, why not start planning your railway adventures?
The best of the UK on trains
From rugged coastlines to the Scottish highlands, wherever it is you fancy going we’ve got you covered with the 11 best train journeys in the UK. This Scottish rail route has had a massive £116 million makeover and it’s full steam ahead for the 156-year-old Bala Lake Railway over in north Wales.
Did you see? These major UK rail services will be massively disrupted for the next six years as work on HS2 continues.