Public transport - Peak fares

Essenchill

Are peak fares an outdated concept?

These days people work all sorts of shifts, every day of the week. Is there still a requirement to charge more for public transport tickets purchased for travelling before 0930am weekdays?

I'm just curious about peoples opinions on this...

jd87

Whatever you might think about people working all sorts of shifts, the fact is that most people still work 9-5ish and as a result much public transport is heavily overcrowded before 9 am. As long as that remains the case, peak fares will exist.

Essenchill

jd87 wrote: »

Whatever you might think about people working all sorts of shifts, the fact is that most people still work 9-5ish and as a result much public transport is heavily overcrowded before 9 am. As long as that remains the case, peak fares will exist.

Thanks jd87, and what do you think about those who have no choice but to travel to work during these heavily overcrowded peroid paying more for their tickets than those able to travel later on in the morning? I know that's a different question, but I'm interested in your opinion on that?

Gordon_Hose

I have an annual season ticket, there is no peak or off-peak selection.

However, I only pay for 10 months of travel out of 12 because of the discount... so does that mean season tickets discriminate from people who have no choice but to buy 12 x monthly tickets?

Where do they draw the line?

wealdroam

Essenchill wrote: »

...what do you think about those who have no choice but to travel to work during these heavily overcrowded peroid paying more for their tickets than those able to travel later on in the morning? I know that's a different question, but I'm interested in your opinion on that?

People who have 'no choice' other than to travel at peak times, have to pay peak prices.

A bit like those people who have 'no choice' but to take their holidays at school holiday times. They have to pay enhanced prices too.

It's all to do with supply and demand.

We all make choices in life... whether it be to travel to a job at peak times or to have children.

Jeff_Bridges_hair

Essenchill wrote: »

Thanks jd87, and what do you think about those who have no choice but to travel to work during these heavily overcrowded peroid paying more for their tickets than those able to travel later on in the morning? I know that's a different question, but I'm interested in your opinion on that?

Without getting into it all but how do you stop people all getting an 8AM train that gets them into work just in time to start at 9AM?

Essenchill

If they get on earlier, they still pay peak price. If they get on later, they arrive late.

Jeff_Bridges_hair

Essenchill wrote: »

If they get on earlier, they still pay peak price. If they get on later, they arrive late.

Hmmm. Well you havent quite grasped what i was asking you with regards to overcrowding which you moaned at so im guessing if you have no answers then ill leave it there.

moonrakerz

Gordon_Hose wrote: »

I have an annual season ticket, there is no peak or off-peak selection.

However, I only pay for 10 months of travel out of 12 because of the discount... so does that mean season tickets discriminate from people who have no choice but to buy 12 x monthly tickets?

I think you have to be careful about quoting season tickets; whichever side of the argument you are on.

My local "commuter" station offers a 12 month season ticket to Waterloo for £4,360. A lot of money if you have to pay up front.
BUT....... this allows you to travel on any train, any day, EVERY day if you wish. (365 days - £11.94 per day)

Daily tickets offering the same flexibility work out at £14,894 per annum (220 working days at £67.70/day)

A local "commute" shows a much lower percentage saving. A season: £1616 against a daily ticket for £2112.

dzug1

Jeff_Bridges_hair wrote: »

Without getting into it all but how do you stop people all getting an 8AM train that gets them into work just in time to start at 9AM?

Intoduce mandatory seat reservations?

OK not practical with commuter trains but it's often put forward as 'the' solution but the alternative is putting the fares up enough to discourage sufficient people from travelling at that time.

dzug1

Essenchill wrote: »

Thanks jd87, and what do you think about those who have no choice but to travel to work during these heavily overcrowded peroid paying more for their tickets than those able to travel later on in the morning? I know that's a different question, but I'm interested in your opinion on that?

Everybody has a choice - there is never 'no choice'