Part of 1. Questions to the Minister for Economy and Transport – in the Senedd at 1:38 pm on 8 May 2019.
Can I thank Helen Mary Jones for her questions, and for the important points that she makes about ensuring that we have the lowest possible fares for young people, people who really do depend on rail transport day in, day out? I should just say that, under the previous operator, cheaper fares were only available to purchase on a limited number of routes. Now, with TfW now operating the franchise, advance tickets are single tickets for specific trains, which can be bought from 12 weeks up to 6 p.m. prior to the day of travel. Passengers then purchase another advance single ticket for return journeys. Now, in the longer term, I intend to reform this situation. However, in the shorter term, it should be noted that the average saving, through the advance ticket mechanism, is 48 per cent—a considerable saving. We're also looking at rolling out across the Wales and borders network smart ticketing. And, elsewhere, customers are going to be able to use mobile tickets to ensure that they always pay the lowest fare.
Now, with regard to young people, already in terms of bus travel we've extended the mytravelpass scheme. And we are now examining ways that we might be able to automatically enrol all young people into that vitally important scheme that offers a significant saving to young passengers. But, for rail, TFW plan to extend the current national rail conditions of carriage, allowing free rail travel to children up to the age of 11 years. In addition, Llywydd, TFW are proposing to introduce free off-peak travel for all passengers under the age of 16, travelling with paying adults, on flows where TFW are able to set the fare and which are on the Wales and borders rail service lines. Furthermore, Llywydd, I'm pleased to say that they also plan to extend the age limit up to 18 years for child fares on the Wales and borders services.