Appendix

Pathfinder Schemes

Figure 2 presents rural participants’ priority ranking of pathfinder schemes. This was:

  1. Concessionary travel
  2. Capping ticket prices
  3. Integrated ticketing
  4. A rural pilot
  5. Investment in stock
  6. Community initiatives
  7. Staff training
Figure 2: Screenshot of Mentimeter results asked rural participants what their priority pathfinder scheme would be, as described in text above
Figure 2: Screenshot of Mentimeter results asked rural participants what their priority pathfinder scheme would be

Figure 3 presents urban participants’ priority ranking of pathfinder schemes. This was:

  1. Reducing cost via capping fares and affordable monthly ticket
  2. Expansion of concessionary scheme to people in asylum system
  3. Free public transport to test demand
  4. Integrating buses and trains zonal system
  5. Reward scheme
Figure 3: Screenshot of Mentimeter results asked urban participants what their priority pathfinder scheme would be, as described in text above
Figure 3: Screenshot of Mentimeter results asked urban participants what their priority pathfinder scheme would be

Peak rail fare removal pilot

Figure 4: Jamboard from Session 2 for Urban Participants, as described in text below
Figure 4: Jamboard from Session 2 for Urban Participants

Comments fedback as part of the Jamboard in response to the question “Will stopping peak fares benefit you?” were:

  • BUT – this links to train lines/infrastructure. Benefit’s one person who uses trains more than buses. Finds them cheaper, more reliable.
  • Majority said no

Comments fedback as part of the Jamboard in response to the question “Would stopping peak fares be beneficial to your communities?” were:

  • Yes – BUT not all cities have good train infrastructure.
  • Is a 6 month trial enough to get data on change?
  • The bus being cheaper / free would be more beneficial for people living on a low income
  • Yes – but more likely to benefit those in work. However, we know that in work poverty exists.
  • But important that availability is improved & issues we spoke about previously.

Other comments fedback as part of the Jamboard were:

  • LEZ might move people onto trains.
  • Weekend deals might allow people to get out and about more cheaply.
  • Peak/ off peak day tickets exist on buses in Edinburgh & Dundee.
Figure 5: Jamboard from Session 2 for Rural Participants, as described in text below
Figure 5: Jamboard from Session 2 for Rural Participants

Comments fedback as part of the Jamboard session in response to the question “Would removal of peak fairs help you?” were:

  • 2 yes
  • 4 no.
  • It’s my ideal form of transport but given the time that I travel I have to pay peak fairs and I just refuse to do it.
  • Islands – no direct impact but might help tourists.
  • No, not trains in my area.
  • It would help but there are barriers of access in terms of disability.

Comments fedback as part of the Jamboard in response to the question “Would the removal of peak fairs benefit your community?” were:

  • Peak fares are punishing those who go to work.
  • Pilots aren’t enough – there is a bigger issue with how expensive trains are.
  • We need to consider access in rural areas too.
  • Trains need to be cheaper – it’s wrong that planes are cheaper than trains.
  • If you lower the prices more people will be inclined to use the train.
  • A year / 18 months might be better to collect data.
  • 6 month isn’t long enough for a pilot.
  • ‘appointment and meetings don’t wait for 10-4pm’ ‘Why should I have to pay more because the NHS has scheduled me at 9 rather than 11’.

Participation process

Participants evaluated the process by discussion and also by an anonymous form, which is summarised in Figure 6. This illustrates that the majority of respondents indicated that the strongly agree / agree with the statements that:

  • I felt supported to participate
  • The aims of the discussions were clearly communicated to me
  • I had the opportunity to share my individual views and experiences
  • The facilitators ensured that everyone was involved
  • The way our aspirations and key messages were developed was fair
Figure 6: Poll results from last session of Fair Fares Process. Participants asked to feedback on their experience of the participation process, as described in text above
Figure 6: Poll results from last session of Fair Fares Process. Participants asked to feedback on their experience of the participation process