Train Fare Woes

Today came the announcement from the Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc), that Season ticket and standard day return fares across the UK would be rising from January 2008 on average 4.8%. Cheap day returns, open and advance fares would rise by an average of 5.4%.

"We need the revenue from fares to pay for investment in the railway for the benefit of passengers We are providing a higher-performing railway with new, refurbished and more punctual trains and better stations."
George Muir, Director General, Atoc

With passenger numbers on the railways at their highest levels ever, passenger groups and the shadow transport secretary have hit back at these rises.

"Passengers will be dismayed that fares are going up again, especially as on most routes they have no choice about which train company to use. Many commuters will have to fork out hundreds of extra pounds for their next annual season ticket."
Anthony Smith, Chief Executive, Passenger Focus

"Labour's fingerprints are all over these fare rises. We have now had years of escalating above-inflation increases which are hitting many family budgets hard."
Theresa Villiers, Shadow Transport Secretary

I have to oppose any price rises in train fares, in reality we should be looking to reduce train fares in the UK. In the last ten years passenger numbers have increased 42%, but fares have risen year on year. With this there have been increased costs to run the services, and the increase in fuel prices needs to be recouped. However, the increasing fuel prices may price people from their cars on to public transport, further increasing the numbers using the trains, and putting more pressure on the existing rolling stock which is currently already over burdened. Train operators could implement strategies, or information systems to better adapt to the demands of their service ensuring trains are used more efficiently rather than invest in rolling stock which may not be required.

Government are looking to reduce the funding to public transport, yet the revenues from taxation on cars far dwarfs that of the funding given to for-profit companies which are making huge profits at the expense of the passengers.

Reducing the costs of public transport (eventually to a free service) is the way forward to ensure the UK meets targets on CO2 reductions, and as the price gap further expands between public transport and private car ownership, people would be more attracted to public transport.

Proposed changes from 2 Jan 2008 (Regulated / Unregulated Fares)

• Arriva Trains Wales, 4.8%, 4.8%
• c2c, 4.8%, 4.8%
• Chiltern Railways, 4.8%, 5.1%
• CrossCountry, 4.8%, 7.0%
• East Midlands Trains, 4.8%, 7.0%
• First Capital Connect, 4.8%, 4.8%
• First Great Western, 4.8%, 6.1%
• First ScotRail, 4.8%, 4.8%
• First TransPennine Express, 5.0%, 6.4%
• Gatwick Express, 3.8%, 5.0%
• GNER (Nat Express E Coast), 4.8%, 6.6%
• Heathrow Express, n/a, 0.0%
• Hull Trains, n/a, 0.0%
• London Midland, 4.8%, 4.8%
• Merseyrail, 3.8%, 5.0%
• Northern Rail, 4.8%, 5.7%
• one, 4.8%, 6.8%
• Southeastern, 6.8%, 4.8%
• Southern, 4.8%, 4.8%
• South West Trains, 4.8%, 4.3%
• Virgin Trains, 4.8%, 4.8%
• Average, 4.8%, 5.4%