Kent MPs urge Southeastern to introduce flexible ticketing for commuters
14:17, 20 July 2020
updated: 16:56, 21 July 2020
Kent MPs have written to Southeastern today calling on them to introduce flexible ticketing for commuters.
All of the county's members of parliament, apart from Gravesend's Adam Holloway, signed the letter asking the company to copy Great Western Railways plans.
They say the current season tickets offered to commuters doesn't mirror the flexibility some companies are showing flexible work environments.
The letter, addressed to Southeastern's managing director David Statham, said: "We write collectively on behalf of our commuting constituents across Kent to request that you urgently introduce flexibility in ticketing.
"Many of our constituents will be returning to work in greater numbers during the coming weeks but potentially quite a substantial number will themselves be flexi-working with companies either requiring or are sympathetic to a combination of office and work from home days.
"This means that the value of a season ticket is removed and instead people are having to pay for the vastly more expensive peak day return tickets. This is not sustainable.
"Further to media reports that Great Western Railways have introduced a new “three days in seven” season ticket and another ticket that permits travel on any 12 days in a month, we would urge you to consider something similar for Southeastern commuters, including those who use HS1.
"We know that a large number of our constituents commute into the City and believe this would be hugely beneficial in light of the current circumstances."
Adam Holloway later explained his name was not on the letter as he claims it was already submitted before he had heard about it, before adding he supports the idea of three day season tickets.
A spokesman for Southeastern said: “We know that the way people are working and travelling is changing, and that new types of ticket are needed to reflect that.
"We submitted our proposal at the end of last week in response to the Department for Transport's request.”
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