To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what estimate he has made of the average difference between the price of a walk-on train ticket and a ticket for the same journey purchased in advance. (279651)

No estimate has been made. Many routes do not have advance purchase tickets and where they do they vary considerably in price and quota availability.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what assessment he has made of the merits of amending all rail franchises to reflect the assumption of an increase in unregulated fares of RPI plus one per cent. made in the new South Central franchise (a) in January 2010 and (b) on the renewal date of each franchise. (279709)

Unregulated fares are a matter for individual train operating companies. Fares policy relating to unregulated fares has not been amended as a result of the South Central franchise replacement. In this case, the winner's bid is based on unregulated fares increasing on average by RPI +1 per cent. across the life of the franchise, but this is not a contractual commitment.

The Department for Transport has not assessed the cost implications of limiting unregulated fare increases.