05.09.13
London TravelWatch calls for better customer information
Operators must improve value for money for passengers, London TravelWatch has urged.
New research shows commuters want easier ways to spread the cost of season tickets, and better information about how Oyster Pay As You Go (PAYG) works.
They also need more information about advance tickets and on the scope for developing smartphone apps to top up and check Oyster PAYG balances.
London TravelWatch chair Stephen Locke said: “We hope that the publication of our research will start a wide-ranging debate about what can be done to give all who travel in London a better deal. With ticket prices rising above inflation and people’s incomes remaining static or falling in real terms, it is more important than ever to ensure that transport users know how they can get the best ticketing deals as well as getting additional value from tickets they have already bought.
“Our research has identified a number of ways in which consumers’ concerns about value for money can be addressed, many of which would cost very little or nothing to implement. Low cost but high visibility benefits such as free access to toilets for ticket holders at stations and interchanges, Wi-Fi at stations and high profile measures to tackle anti-social behaviour on public transport would do a lot to improve people’s journey experiences. Operators must now rise to the challenge and tackle the underlying issues revealed in our research.”
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