Network Card threat derailed

The threat of restricting the use of the off-peak Network Card for almost half a million rail passengers has been derailed following the intervention of the rail regulator.

The 17 companies that issue the cards, including Stagecoach, Virgin, Connex and Great Western, received protests from passenger groups and the rail regulator, John Swift QC. Originally the operators had wanted the card, which is regularly used by 430,000 travellers, not to be allowed on any train leaving London stations on weekdays between 4pm and 7.30pm. This move has been abandoned, but, because the price of the card is not regulated, train companies will increase the cost of the discount card by more than 40 per cent - from pounds 14 to pounds 20.