Another increase in unregulated fares

[whole diary]

[grahame]

Now.... FGW^▸ (First Great Western) have introduced a new 'flow' on May 20th. 'Via Newbury'. For stations east of Castle Cary and in Wiltshire. (Bruton, Frome, Westbury, Trowbridge, Bradford-on-Avon, Avoncliff, Freshford) This new 'flow' now has fares priced cheaper (by as much as 25%) than the previously only available 'Any Permitted'.

As an occasional traveller from London to Westbury, I've found the previous fares rather high and indeed the changes (at a first glance) on this line look like a step in the right direction - towards bringing them more into line with the main lines that run across the north and south of Wiltshire.

Just two weeks ago, writing about split tickets, I noted for this journey:
17:33 -> 18:59, 84.00 can be reduced to 36.20 with a split at Newbury
17:45 -> 19:27, 84.00 can be reduced to 68.90 with a split at Swindon (change trains there)
18:06 -> 19:52, 84.00 can be reduced to 27.20 with a split at Theale
18:33 -> 20:04, 39.00 can be reduced to 32.60 with a split at Pewsey

Now, and without split ticketing:
17:33 - 35.60
17:45 - 84.00
18:06 - 35.60
18:33 - 35.60
Anytime single dropped from 84.00 to 74.00 on all trains except 17:45 which is via Swindon
Off Peak fares now offered on 17:33, 18:06 and 18:33

I note that the 74.00 is also valid from Trowbridge in the morning - 06:47 change at Westbury, but the fare from Melksham, joining that same train 10 minutes earlier, is 84.00 - an eye-watering 10 pounds supplement for an extra 6 miles or so (1.66 per mile) - and you'll still do better splitting if you're making that journey.
 

[Btline]

To think that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) must employ people to dream up ways of fleecing commuters by raising fares.

At least some fares have come down - but overall, fares have risen. Combined with the great XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) train robbery, the South West of England is getting further away from the rest of the UK^▸ (United Kingdom). When will it end?

[grahame]

To think that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) must employ people to dream up ways of fleecing commuters by raising fares.

At least some fares have come down - but overall, fares have risen. Combined with the great XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) train robbery, the South West of England is getting further away from the rest of the UK^▸ (United Kingdom). When will it end?

Sorry - but to a very great extent I'm supportive of much of the stuff that First are doing - AIUI^▸ (as I understand it), raising fares on journeys which are price well below their average in pence per mile, and lowering them for journeys which are priced well above their average.  I'm not suggesting an ultimate goal of the same number of pence per mile, but situations which held on the Hants and Berks where the Westbury fare was 3 times the Bedwyn fare on the same train in pence per mile, and yet the train was virtually empty from Bedwyn to Westbury (I wonder why!) were long overdue to be addressed.  Business case wise, it makes sense to lower prices where there is plenty of capacity (e.g. Newbury to Westbury in the evening) and raise prices where there is a lack of capaity and fares are dramatically below the norm in pence per mile.

Now - here's a sobering thought for everyone.  Only regulated fares are regulated.  So - come the next franchise, it's quite possible for it to be "all change" on many of the fares and systems - perhaps offering additional incentives to load trains, or perhaps slashing back on many of the unregulated and lower fares.  I have read comments that say "we want First to carry on because they provide xxxxx fare which is rather good value for us.  Sorry - I don't think that understanding of the situation is correct.  Whoever wins, regulated fares are unregulated and what anyone considers good for a 7 year franchise with 1% growth forecast may take a different view in a 15 year franchise with a history of 8% growth.

But I do have to admit I've been impressed by the very reasonable rail fares where I'm on holiday this week, and it ain't England.  The fare last Saturday was good enough to persuade us all to take the train today, rather than driving.  And in doing so, we occupied seats that would otherwise have been empty, saved petrol, arrived more relaxed, and made some good friends on the train.

[Btline]

I suppose that anomaly is because of the NSE^▸ (Network South East) border.

Another one is Swindon and Didcot, although more splitting is available.

Of course, this all comes back to the fact that the fares need a complete overhaul. Yes, some will go up more than others, but at least it'll be consistent.

[JayMac]

I should just point out that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) haven't lowered any fares in the current round. They've introduced a new 'flow'.

In practical terms for Joe Punter in Trowbridge that does mean that his trip to London can now be cheaper. But if he wishes route flexibility then the price is unchanged.

And it appears that the good folk of Devon & Cornwall may well now be paying extra for their regulated Super Off Peak Returns (which has pushed up the Off Peak Single/Return as well) to give folks in East Somerset and parts of Wiltshire some cheaper fares.