by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
London, UK: Massive rail fare increases are at odds with the Government’s pledges to cut carbon emissions and will mean long-term financial losses, says sustainable transport charity Sustrans.
Reports today indicate that rail fares could rise by up to 8 per cent next year, which Sustrans says will be a real barrier to people’s travel choice.
Peter Lipman, Sustrans' Policy Director, said: “Rail offers a sustainable alternative to the car for long distance trips, so it is very disappointing to see the Government proposing significant increases on fares.
“Indeed, over the last 30 years public transport fares have consistently increased - often above the rate of inflation as in this case - whilst the cost of motoring has fallen by around 17 per cent in real terms.
“Presenting rail passengers with the biggest rise in ticket prices since privatization in the 1990s will mean long term financial losses and remove travel choice from commuters looking to alternatives to car travel and congestion.”
It just completely is beyond my comprehension that the government seems to be so extremely stupid permitting such price hikes to happen. People are not going to abandon the car in favor of public transport and other mass transit when the costs are several times higher than using the car.
It is not rocket science and what we really need is a re-nationalization of the railway system in Britain and not permit private companies to continue running trains and fleecing the traveling public.
It also would not have to cost any money bringing the railroads back into public hand; all that needs to happen is that the franchises, when they run out, are not being renewed.
Now, let's get a proper British Rail back...
© 2010
