Campaign For Better Transport Criticise MTLS Over Fare Rises Stance

[whole diary]

[John R]

The argument "only 60p a day and if you don't like it then drive" has several aspects that I disagree with. Firstly, for a lot of people, driving is not a realistical alternative, either due to personal circumstances, or the time that alternative modes take. Secondly,9.7% is a very big increase when considered against inflation. It may only be 60p a day, but that's ^3 a week or ^140 a year allowing for hoidays. That's a ^200 pay cut overnight when you take tax into consideration.

More telling, I've researched some similar journeys in terms of distance and frequency of service. These show that Bristol to Bath starts as the most expensive per mile (notwithstanding the fare cut earlier this year), and then has the biggest percentage increase added on top of that.

Comparisons are:-

Newport to Cardiff 11.75 miles, increasing from 3.40 to 3.60 (5.9%) . New rate per mile of 15.3p
Soton to Winchester 12.75 mls, increasing from 4.90 to 5.30 (8.2%). New rate per mile of 20.8p
Birm NS to Wolverh'n 12.75mles, increasing from 5.70 to 6.00 (5.3%). New rate per mile of 23.5p
Bristol to Bath 11.5 miles, increasing from 6.20 to 6.80 (9.7%). New rate per mile of 29.6p

Even if you assume that the Welsh rate is a bit of an anomaly, Bath commuters will be paying 42% more per mile than those travelling from Soton to Winchester in modern electrified trains.

So I for one can see why there is resistance to the increase. 
     

[vacman]

But cost's do rise, look how much fuel has gone up and FGW^▸ (First Great Western)'s trains don't run on fresh air!

[John R]

So do every other TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company)' costs, diesel or electric. Still doesn't explain why FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are most expensive. It's not the fuel, it's the premium FGW signed up to pay the DaFT^» (Department for Transport - critical sounding abbreviation I discourage - about).

[dog box]

So do every other TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company)' costs, diesel or electric. Still doesn't explain why FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are most expensive. It's not the fuel, it's the premium FGW signed up to pay the DaFT^» (Department for Transport - critical sounding abbreviation I discourage - about).

Think you will probably find that all the premium franchises will need raise additional revenue through the fare box to pay The DFT^▸ (Department for Transport)....Its just another tax

[Trowres]

There are very low rates in Cornwall - try Penzance to Plymouth for example. I presume this is also set  by FGW^▸ (First Great Western), so one can't blame the premium payments altogether.

This selective pricing was introduced well back in BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) days. It can be called "what the market will bear" - and there are indications that the "market" isn't bearing the combined assault of higher fares and unreliable services.