Media supports simpler ticketing but sceptical about significant fare cut

The Labour Party’s manifesto plans for the future of the nation’s rail network dominated media coverage of transport in early December, with plans to simplify the rail fare structure being widely approved. Rik Thomas reports

On 3rd December The Times’ lead business commentator, Alistair Osborne, approved of at least some of Labour’s manifesto commitments relating to the railways. “True, it’s a blatant electoral bribe,” he said, referring to Labour plans to reduce rail fares by up to a third, “even if a parsimonious one by usual standards, tootling in at an annual £1.5bn.

“More significant is Labour’s pledge to ‘deliver wholesale reform of fares and...

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