Rail fares to come under scrutiny

[whole diary]

[Timmer]

From Swindon Business News:
http://swindon-business.net/index.php/2010/11/10/rail-fares-to-come-under-scrutiny/

The cost of rail fares to and from Swindon will be explained by representatives from rail operator First Great Western, after they agreed to appear before members of Swindon Borough Council^s Scrutiny Committee on Monday (15 November).

Along with councillors, members of the public will also have the opportunity to ask questions at the special meeting.

Cllr Kevin Small, the council^s Chair of Scrutiny, said: ^I am pleased that First Great Western has agreed to come to the meeting to review rail services and fares to Swindon residents.

^For many years there has been growing concern by residents and the business community that rail fares for Swindon passengers are too high, especially compared with other commuter areas."

[paul7575]

It couldn't possibly be that it's quite a long distance commute? How does it compare with places similar radius from Central London?

And please - if discussing commuter fares let's hope they look at season ticket prices. The Anytime return is NOT a commuter fare by definition. 

(And that applies especially to Paul Clifton of BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) South Today)

Paul

[John R]

The closest comparison is Peterborough which is 76 miles against Swindon's 77 miles. The anytime single from Peterborough is 20% cheaper (43.50 against 54.50) and the annual season is 25% cheaper (5000 against 6640). And the average journey time is around 10 minutes faster too by virtue of it usually being the first calling point.

[inspector_blakey]

Small correction John - the season price you quote from PBO to KGX is a First Capital Connect only ticket, so only allows travel on the slower trains (although off the top of my head I don't know how the journey times on those compare with FGW^▸ (First Great Western) from Swindon).

The "any permitted" season which also allows use of East Coast services is GBP 5892.00, still cheaper than FGW's but a bit more comparable than GBP 5000.00.

[John R]

Thanks. I wonder how many others would be misled by that, as the restricted ticket is at the top of the screen (or in my case, nicely filled it, so it didn't occur to me to look down any further).