01.07.06
TfL concerned about First Capital Connect fare restrictions
Transport for London (TfL) has expressed concerns about the wider impact of First Capital Connect’s new fares policy, which has restricted the use of cheap day return tickets on their northbound peak service.
The policy was introduced in June, and has led to further restrictions on both GNER and Midland Mainline services. The two companies have imposed similar measures in order to prevent their peak trains from becoming overloaded with those passengers wishing to take advantage of their fares, which previously offered greater flexibility.
The impact of these evening peak restrictions is affecting passengers on over twenty services northbound from London’s King’s Cross and St. Pancras stations.
TfL has expressed its wishes to see First Capital Connect’s fare restrictions removed “as a matter of urgency,” allowing passengers to travel home from London at any time in the evening with a flexible ‘Cheap Day Return’ ticket.
Ian Brown, managing director for TfL, said: “Passenger needs are a top priority for Transport for London. First Capital Connect’s new fares policy is now having a major impact on passengers using GNER and Midland Mainline services, with cost increases of over 100 per cent in some instances. We are concerned that this could deter people from using rail services between London and other key towns and cities.”
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