In the hopes that people will travel more sustainably over the busy winter season, Campaign for Better Transport is calling on the UK Government to provide some offers for rail travel.
They hope bargain-price tickets will get people to travel in a greener way, and boost high street spending in towns and cities.
Chief executive of Campaign for Better Transport, Paul Tuohy, said: “People are going to be travelling into towns and cities to do their Christmas shopping and celebrating over the coming weeks and we want them to do so in a safe and green way.
“To spread a bit of festive cheer this year and help ensure trains aren’t overcrowded, the Government should give rail passengers an early Christmas present with a discount ticket offer so that people have more choice about how and when they travel.
“Not only will this help reduce congestion and air pollution in our towns and cities during the festive period it will also give a much-needed boost to high street shops, hospitality venues and leisure services.”
Campaign for Better Transport says it is concerned because traffic levels are rising, but public transport is yet to return to pre-pandemic levels – and this means without intervention emissions will be on the rise again.
Specifically it is asking for a festive ticket offer, a third off season tickets for a limited time to encourage more people to commute by rail and a rail fare freeze for 2022 – along with more long-term reform of the fares and ticketing system to ensure that the greenest modes of travel are also the cheapest.
