To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment her Department has made of the recent increases in unregulated rail fares. (164635)

In the absence of specific grounds for doing so, the Department has made no formal assessment of the recent increases in unregulated fares. However, we keep unregulated fares under review. The Department continues to listen to the representations of Passenger Focus and has invited them to take a greater role in commenting on the specification of future franchises.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether she plans to increase consumer protection in relation to unregulated rail fares. (172884)

[holding answer 10 December 2007]: There are currently no plans to increase consumer protection in relation to unregulated rail fares.

The setting of unregulated rail fares is a commercial decision for each train operating company. It is in their interests to provide an attractive range of fares and to encourage more passengers to use the railway.

The Department continues to listen to the representations of Passenger Focus and has invited them to take a greater role in commenting on the specification of future franchises.