Are fare rises heading for a rail profit for the government?

[whole diary]

[Super Guard]

A better article, quoting sources for the figures, and breaking them down:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/8729312/Half-a-million-rail-workers-enjoy-free-or-discounted-travel.html

It also confirms my earlier point the benefit for ex-BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) staff is taxable and the government therefore receive some money back through taxation.

I know no-one on here is suggesting that staff benefits are scrapped, but does anyone honestly think by doing so it would effect fares in anyway for the public?

I also know that efforts have been made in the past to "buy" the free boxes offered to ex-BR staff.

Moral seems to be, if you're after pretty good perks, work in the rail/transport sector! Might perhaps explain why those who do are so blas^ about the annual price rises affecting the rest of us! 

Correct me if i'm wrong, but I don't think i've seen any member of staff being blas^ about fare increases... Especially when it is us front line staff that will get the wroth of public opinion.

I do think it's wrong of the media to talk only about ^5,000+ season tickets, without having a comparison of the alternatives over a 12 month period to see whether it is good value for money or a massive rip-off.

[ChrisB]

There is also a discrepancy (certainly in longer-distance travel) between commuting into London from South of the Thames (SouthEastern, Southern & SWT^▸ (South West Trains)) & north/west of the Thames (FGW^▸ (First Great Western), Chiltern, FirstCC etc), and these days, this really ought not to be.

Check out the Ashford, Folkestone, Dover, Southampton & Brighton seasons with equal milage tris from the North & west. The latter are pretty much dearer. I couldn't believe the price from Southampton....

[Tim]

Two points on generous staff travel perks.

1, it is a good thing that staff use the network widely.  It means that they know their product.   Would you buy a car from someone who couldn't drive or your meat from a vegetarian butcher?

2, whatever providing the perks cost it is presumably less than it would cost in salary to have the same positive effect on staff retention and recruitment.

[johngreg]

with the above southampton season ticket example, is it normal to have the different prices for a particular route (e.g. Southern only) versus any route?

[paul7575]

The 'Southern only' fare isn't that unusual, in that there are matching walk up fares available as well.  But then the Southern route to 'London terminals' from Southampton is around an hour longer at least.   I'd be surprised if many people are prepared to do an extra two hours travelling each day for whatever the cost saving is.

Paul

[TaplowGreen]

Two points on generous staff travel perks.

1, it is a good thing that staff use the network widely.  It means that they know their product.   Would you buy a car from someone who couldn't drive or your meat from a vegetarian butcher?

2, whatever providing the perks cost it is presumably less than it would cost in salary to have the same positive effect on staff retention and recruitment.

...............Best beer I ever drank was from a teetotal landlord!