Campaigners: NAO report is a ‘savage indictment’ of the Government’s failure on smart ticketing
19 April 2017
The National Audit Office’s (NAO) investigation into smart ticketing for rail travel in the south east (South East Flexible Ticketing (SEFT)) is a ‘savage indictment’ of the Government’s failure on smart ticketing, said Campaign for Better Transport.
Lianna Etkind, Public Transport Campaigner at Campaign for Better Transport said:
“Delivering smart ticketing was a 2015 manifesto commitment. Passengers will be incensed that the Government has comprehensively failed to deliver on this, despite squandering tens of millions of taxpayers’ money.
“Not only is this wasted money, it’s a wasted opportunity. The Oyster card has been working well in London for over a decade, and has helped millions to save money and to travel more easily across buses, train and Tube. Without Government leadership, the UK risks falling behind the rest of the world on smart ticketing.
“The next Government must learn from this and deliver smart ticketing that will allow for seamless travel across all modes and operators with flexibility for part-time workers, not just in the South East but across the whole country.”
The NAO investigation was carried out after Campaign for Better Transport formally raised concerns about the SEFT programme.
For further information please contact:
Richard Watkins, Press Officer, at Campaign for Better Transport on 020 7566 6494 / 07984 773468 or richard.watkins@
Notes to editors
- Campaign for Better Transport is the UK’s leading authority on sustainable transport. We champion transport solutions that improve people’s lives and reduce environmental damage. Our campaigns push innovative, practical policies at local and national levels. Campaign for Better Transport Charitable Trust is a registered charity (1101929)
- The National Audit Office will publish their report Investigation into the South East Flexible Ticketing Programme at 00.01 on Thursday 20 April 2017.
- The 2013 Fares and Ticketing Review committed to smart ticketing across the South East. The 2015 Conservative Manifesto stated: “We will also introduce smart ticketing and part-time season tickets and require train companies to improve compensation arrangements for passengers when trains are more than a few minutes late”.