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Title: Minister says trains have become rich mens toys Post by: anthony215 on September 13, 2011, 18:28:17 Just found this on the bbc news webpage:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-14904610 Anywonder why national express, megabus etc are experiencing a boom in passenger numbers? Title: Re: Minister says trains have become rich mens toys Post by: inspector_blakey on September 13, 2011, 19:32:04 Possibly a bit of wooly thinking by Hammond here? What I don't see if any attempt to analyse the socioeconomic status of people using other modes of transport, especially long-distance buses. I could well believe that trains are principally used by the better off, but I would hazard a guess that you may see a similar trend with long-distance bus usage seeing as it is precisely these people who have the disposable income for leisure travel and other journeys that may not be an absolute necessity.
This of course leaves aside the curious situation of the Transport Secretary saying rail fares are too high whilst pushing through RPI +3% fare rises in the not-too-distant future. But of course I suspect that will all be the fault of the previous government. Title: Re: Minister says trains have become rich mens toys Post by: bobm on September 13, 2011, 20:52:53 .... and despite the "high fares" many trains are full and some some full and standing - where is the incentive to reduce fares?
Title: Re: Minister says trains have become rich mens toys Post by: bobm on September 19, 2011, 21:10:57 ..and now the Train Operators have got round to a response.
From the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-14979715) Partial quote Quote Train operators have criticised Philip Hammond, saying the transport secretary should "read his brief more closely". Mr Hammond caused controversy last week when he suggested the railways had become a "rich man's toy". The head of the Association of Train Operating Companies said railways were a "fantastic deal" for the taxpayer. Title: Re: Minister says trains have become rich mens toys Post by: tramway on September 20, 2011, 00:49:43 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lies,_damned_lies,_and_statistics
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