Task force to challenge ministers over rail fares

A Devon councillor is planning to lobby the government for lower fares and better wi-fi on trains travelling to and from London.

Andrea Davis, Devon County Council's cabinet member for transport, is due raise the issues with Rail Minister Lord Hendy as part of a South West rail task force in the coming weeks.

Davis said she feared long-term disruption from work at Old Oak Common, which is linked to the HS2 scheme, could "destroy confidence in public transport".

The Department for Transport said it was committed to delivering better services and improving wi-fi connectivity on the railways.

The works at Old Oak Common would affect trains from Devon and Cornwall and could mean fewer services operate on the line, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Work at the station is expected to finish between 2029 and 2033, said National Rail.

Davis said: "We all know it is expensive to use the trains and so I think it is a reasonable ask [to request lower fares].

"Our biggest ask of Lord Hendy would be for sustained and reliable wi-fi, given that the technology is there and is used abroad in Europe and the US, but we don't have it here even though there are British companies offering it."

Davis said ensuring journeys could be more productive for passengers was vital.

"We can't change the fact the Old Oak Common works are going ahead, but let's make the journey more useful," she said.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "We are committed to the biggest overhaul of our railways in a generation, delivering better services and simpler ticketing.

"As part of this, we have been clear that we will simplify fares so it's easier for passengers to find the right ticket for their journey and they can be certain that they are getting the best deal.

"We also remain committed to improving wi-fi connectivity on our railways as our reforms progress."

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