To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps her Department is taking to encourage people to use rail transport; and if she will consider introducing financial incentives to encourage people to travel by rail. (183928)

[holding answer 1 February 2008]: Marketing of rail services is primarily a matter for train operators. They do this in a variety of ways, many of which involve offering financial incentives through discounted fares.

Unprecedented investment in the railways since 1997 has resulted in an increase in patronage of around 40 per cent.