Return rail tickets will be scrapped under reforms of the British rail system expected to be announced soon by the government.

Replaced by “single-leg pricing” customers will no longer be able to purchase two-way tickets, which offer a discounted rate.

However, the price of two singles will at least in the immediate future still be the same as the current return fare, according to the Telegraph.

First conceptualised by Boris Johnson and Grant Shapps in May, 2021 the plans were criticised by tory backbenchers as “nationalisation through a back door”.

Transport secretary Mark Harper will announce the changes this week including the introduction of Great British Railways (GBR) as a new public body.

In related news, rail fares in England are set to increase by 5.9 per cent from 5 March, despite the ongoing series of strikes, cancellations and delays as ministers fail to strike a deal on pay, jobs, conditions and pensions with unions.