Minister says trains have become rich mens toys

[whole diary]

[anthony215]

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?

[inspector_blakey]

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^▸ (Revenue Protection Inspector (or Retail Price Index, depending on the context)) +3% fare rises in the not-too-distant future. But of course I suspect that will all be the fault of the previous government.

[bobm]

.... and despite the "high fares" many trains are full and some some full and standing - where is the incentive to reduce fares?

[bobm]

..and now the Train Operators have got round to a response.

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

Partial 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.

[tramway]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lies,_damned_lies,_and_statistics