LONDON – The UK’s Department for Transport (DfT) announced today its commitment to maintaining a competitive environment for online rail ticket retailing following the establishment of Great British Railways (GBR). The DfT confirmed that GBR will consolidate individual train operators’ ticket websites, while ensuring that the private sector continues to thrive in an open market.
The DfT’s statement precedes an industry-wide consultation on the Rail Reform Bill, set to launch in the coming weeks. This bill is aimed at setting up GBR as the central governing body for passenger rail service in the UK. The transition to the new structure is expected to span several years.
Jody Ford (NYSE:), CEO of Trainline, the UK’s leading travel app, expressed support for the government’s clear stance on market competitiveness and the role of private sector innovation in the rail industry. Trainline, serving 18 million customers, is known for its high customer trust scores and a 25-year history of developing user-friendly solutions.
A DfT spokesperson reiterated the government’s dedication to a robust private sector that fosters innovation and growth, ultimately encouraging more people to utilize rail transport. The spokesperson highlighted the government’s intent to work closely with industry players and the private sector to achieve these goals.
The DfT’s full update on the future of online rail retailing is available on the UK Government’s website. This announcement is based on a press release statement from Trainline plc.
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