For many passionate football fans who travel by train around the country to support their team each week, the journey to and from games is an important part of their match day experience. Significant changes to improve that experience for fans and for other rail users are now within reach, with agreement from the rail and football industries to work together to develop a transformational package of measures.
My Department has secured a commitment from the football authorities, the British Transport Police (BTP) and the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), representing train companies and Network Rail, to work together on measures which include a fairer and more flexible deal for football fans who are affected by rescheduled matches. Loyal supporters who travel by rail should not have to pay more when matches are rescheduled at the last minute.
The Premier League is currently drawing up an agreement to underpin this commitment, and we will be working with fan representatives and the English Football League in the development of the package. When confirmed by train operators and football clubs, we expect trials to be launched to understand how future schemes can deliver more flexibility over train tickets for fans, improve stewarding on trains and lead to closer working between clubs and the BTP, ensuring better support and security on match days. Antisocial and discriminatory behaviour has no place on the railways or in football, and will not be tolerated.
To drive this forward, I will be meeting with the football and rail industry shortly to progress the delivery of a safe, secure and fair railway that works for fans, passengers, the clubs and train operators. I appreciate that this is an area of interest for many football supporters and will provide you with further detail once a final package of measured has been agreed.