Lets freeze rail fares?

CLAPTON

MARTYM8` wrote: »

Yes - the classic real terms freeze.

Most people of course get no where near an RPI pay rise each year - when it involves spending its CPI but for income (e.g. business rates and fares) its RPI.

We have had effective council tax freezes for years - so why are fares freezes so crazy. We have amongst the highest transport fares in the world - and the government provides huge subsidies to the rail sector so its hardly a true market as most franchises are effective state monopolies.

rail price freezes aren't crazy
the money can be found by taxing the Scots and Yorkshire people etc and so subsidise the London rich commuters: about time too

MARTYM8`

CLAPTON wrote: »

rail price freezes aren't crazy
the money can be found by taxing the Scots and Yorkshire people etc and so subsidise the London rich commuters: about time too

London and south east commuters subsidise the provision of rail services in Scotland and the north don't they - outside the big cities?:D

tincans6

Thrugelmir wrote: »

With regards to rail prices the cost from here is ridiculous.

A peak time return to London costs £197. I can get a return flight to Copenhagen for £78 on the same day. :eek:

Do you think everyone on the flight to Copenhagen is paying £78 ?



They both price is broadly similar ways, if you want full flexibility, walk up booking and travel at the busiest time you way the highest price.

If you can't afford it you go a little bit earlier or a little bit later.

Why this should still be a surprise is beyond me.

Thrugelmir

tincans6 wrote: »

Do you think everyone on the flight to Copenhagen is paying £78 ?



They both price is broadly similar ways, if you want full flexibility, walk up booking and travel at the busiest time you way the highest price.

If you can't afford it you go a little bit earlier or a little bit later.

Why this should still be a surprise is beyond me.

My issue is that the cost of travelling by train has grown considerably . Even off peak and at weekends is extremely expensive (to travel to London). To the point that using the train isn't even viable. The air operators have proven how an efficient transport service can be run. The rail network is still held back by long standing historical issues from moving into the 21st century. Even just a few days ago the RMT was balloting strike action yet again.

Cyberman60

Loughton_Monkey wrote: »

What would be a very good idea is if Cameron would make a start with the Civil Service. He should ask them to "volunteer" to do some work every day, then perhaps most of our tax payer money wouldn't be wasted......

They already are doing similar with the army by virtue of reducing the number of permies but increasing TA volunteers.

CLAPTON

Thrugelmir wrote: »

My issue is that the cost of travelling by train has grown considerably . Even off peak and at weekends is extremely expensive (to travel to London). To the point that using the train isn't even viable. The air operators have proven how an efficient transport service can be run. The rail network is still held back by long standing historical issues from moving into the 21st century. Even just a few days ago the RMT was balloting strike action yet again.

do you mean the COST of running the rail system has grown or do you mean the FARES have risen?

PS. I travel to London 'off peak' quite regularly at very modest fares