Public transport - Peak fares

Essenchill

The 'moan' is about the difference in price for the same journey taken at a different part of the day.

The argument that if you don't want to pay peak fares you travel off peak and that everyone has a choice to do this is fine to have.

You must also see the argument that people who use public transport to get to work before 9:30am, and don't know of/have an alternative, pay peak fares.

Overcrowding still occurs. If fares were the same price at all times, would you choose to travel during the rush hour(s) when public transport will always be busy, or would you choose to travel later when it is more likely to be quieter?

robt_2

Essenchill wrote: »

Peak fares do not assist with the overcrowding issue.

Yes they do. If you had the same fares all day, there would be no financial incentive for people to travel off-peak.

wealdroam

Essenchill wrote: »

The 'moan' is about the difference in price for the same journey taken at a different part of the day.

Yes... I think we all got that bit.

Essenchill wrote: »

The argument that if you don't want to pay peak fares you travel off peak and that everyone has a choice to do this is fine to have.

Exactly.

Essenchill wrote: »

You must also see the argument that people who use public transport to get to work before 9:30am, and don't know of/have an alternative, pay peak fares.

Who are these people that don't know thay have a choice?
Surely everyone knows that if you live near to where you work you won't have to pay exorbitant fares?
Either change jobs or move nearer to work... choices eh?
Hey... you might not have to use a train at all.

Essenchill wrote: »

Overcrowding still occurs.

Clearly the peak fare needs to be even higher then.

Essenchill wrote: »

If fares were the same price at all times, would you choose to travel during the rush hour(s) when public transport will always be busy, or would you choose to travel later when it is more likely to be quieter?

I would choose to travel when the trains are less busy.
Wouldn't everyone?
What's your point here?

Essenchill

robt wrote: »

Yes they do. If you had the same fares all day, there would be no financial incentive for people to travel off-peak.

Ah, ok - so a financial incentive is the only incentive which gets people to travel off-peak?

It isn't working, peak services are overcrowded, despite a financial incentive to travel off-peak.

wealdroam

Essenchill wrote: »

It isn't working, peak services are overcrowded, despite a financial incentive to travel off-peak.

They may be overcrowded, but they are not as overcrowded as they would be if that financial incentive did not exist at all.

Essenchill

wealdroam wrote: »

I would choose to travel when the trains are less busy.
Wouldn't everyone?
What's your point here?

My point here would be if everyone would choose to travel when the trains are less busy what is the reason for peak fares?

wealdroam

Essenchill wrote: »

...what is the reason for peak fares?

Oh.

You already have the answers... see above.




Anyway... must stop feeding the troll.

yorkie2

Essenchill wrote: »

. Is there still a requirement to charge more for public transport tickets purchased for travelling before 0930am weekdays?

No, there is no such 'requirement', and has not been for as long as I can recall.

It is true that, for some flows, there are cheaper tickets that are valid after 0930, but for many flows that isn't the case, and it may be cheaper for travel after 0930, 0830, 1000, or it may be based on arriving after a certain time, or it may be the same price irrespective of time of journey. It depends on the journey.

rdwarr

If too many people moan about off-peak discounts then what will happen?

moonrakerz

dzug1 wrote: »

'More "carriages" ' would be the glib answer - that again completely misses the point

Hate to say this - but I am afraid that answer is in itself, a bit "glib".

I have been up to the "Smoke" several times in the last few days and most of the trains are just not big enough for the number of passengers they are carrying, not only in the "rush hours" - but in some cases in the off peak times.

Monday:
Early morning train into Waterloo. 10 coaches, last stop 45 mins out of W'loo. Full; some people standing from last stop.
Early evening train from Waterloo. 6 coaches, first stop Clapham Jct, to "pick up" only ! Train jam packed: people standing down train, vestibules packed. Refreshment trolley - non starter, literally ! Anyone with more than one brain cell could see that this train is not big enough - it has suffered with this problem for years; YET - this company appears to have enough rolling stock to hire their "surplus" out to other companies...............

I paid £22.50 for my ticket up and £6.60 on the return train. Someone in the train company obviously has no idea of the problem.

My local trains have people standing during the day - not good !

I am aware of the difficulties the TOCs have in getting more rolling stock but I do get a little tired of the same old excuses being trotted out for every problem.
Perhaps the senior management should try riding on their own trains occasionally.