Basingstoke MP Maria Miller is calling for a 'Commuters Charter" for Basingstoke and other passengers on the Wessex Route after submitting her response to the Government consultation on what passengers want from the new franchise for the South Western rail route.
Maria said, "There has been an almost 100% increase in the number of Basingstoke rail passengers in the past 17 years but the service has not kept with pace with that change. I am calling for a 'Commuters Charter" for passengers who use the Wessex Route on a very regular or even daily basis to ensure that the needs of these passengers is better recognised on this route. It's important to ensure commuting continues to be economically viable given the growing economy of our Capital City. To increase productivity many employers are now adopting 'Agile Working' methods which encourage people to balance office working with home working. The rail service needs to reflect these new needs of passengers."
Maria is calling for the fares structure to be overhauled, with more flexibility to take account of the needs of the growing proportion of commuters who work on an agile basis, and may commute fewer than five days a week; and also to make commuting better value for money for all, and a more economic option for more workers.
With peak time services from Basingstoke already operating at 20% over capacity, Maria is also calling for overcrowding to be addressed, with longer trains and smarter use of space, including through removing First Class seating and buffet bars.
Maria said: “More and more businesses are seeing real benefits from new ways of working including a more agile workforce – companies like BT, John Lewis, Lloyds and KPMG, who have come together to form the Agile Future Forum. Fares and ticketing for commuters need to keep pace with this change in working patterns and I am calling for a more flexible approach that offers better value for money.”