Cash-strapped commuters to face eye watering fare increases

[whole diary]

[Btline]

This shocking report from The Guardian slams proposed increases of up to 11%!

"If Ministers go ahead with their plan to allow train companies again to hike rail fares by as much as 11 per cent in January it will show how out of touch they are with the cost of living crisis facing families. Many season tickets are now costing more than rent or mortgage payments and simply getting to work is becoming the largest single household bill. When even the NAO has questioned whether hiking fares benefits the taxpayer or just the private train companies, Ministers should listen to Labour's call for a one per cent above inflation cap on fare rises strictly applied across all routes." said Labour spokesman Maria Eagle.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2012/jun/24/commuters-face-rail-fare-hikes?

[Btline]

One angry commuter (from FGW^▸ (First Great Western) land) said:

"An annual season ticket from my part of leafy Berkshire to London Waterloo costs ^3256. This covers me for the 35 mile each way trip on that line, by a restricted route.

In Germany, for just ^69 more- ^3990 or ^3325, I can buy a Mobility Bahn Card 100.

This slightly more flexible season ticket buys me unlimited 2nd class travel on the entire German rail network, at any time of day, for a year.

It also allows you a number of concessions like a number of Saturdays when you are allowed to take up to four people with you, also for free."

[devon_metro]

Ministers should listen to Labour's call for a one per cent above inflation cap on fare rises strictly applied across all routes."[/i] said Labour spokesman Maria Eagle.

Perhaps they shouldn't have emptied the piggy bank whilst in office then!

[broadgage]

Presuming that the season ticket is used for 220 days a year, the cost per day is less than ^15.
Or about 21 pence a mile, which does not seem nearly as much.
Certainly much cheaper than daily peak time tickets, and probably gives peak time travell for less than the normal off peak fare.

[Milky Bar Kid]

Season ticket holders have some of the cheapest methods of transport available to them yet they think theyre being ripped off. It works out about ^10 or less a day which is pretty reasonable considering its valid all day everyday!! far cheaper than using a car in my opinion although a big expense all at once. But if people aint happy then why do they bother buying said tickets if they aint happy!

[Bristolboy]

After stopping the increase in fuel tax I wonder if there will be a u-turn on the rail fare increase?

[Btline]

After stopping the increase in fuel tax I wonder if there will be a u-turn on the rail fare increase?

After **THAT** Paxman interview on Newsnight, I doubt it!!

[TonyK]

One angry commuter (from FGW^▸ (First Great Western) land) said:

"An annual season ticket from my part of leafy Berkshire to London Waterloo costs ^3256. This covers me for the 35 mile each way trip on that line, by a restricted route.

In Germany, for just ^69 more- ^3990 or ^3325, I can buy a Mobility Bahn Card 100.

This slightly more flexible season ticket buys me unlimited 2nd class travel on the entire German rail network, at any time of day, for a year.

It also allows you a number of concessions like a number of Saturdays when you are allowed to take up to four people with you, also for free."

Go and work in bl**dy Germany then. You won't like it.