Cotswold Line 90% fare increases from 17 May 2015

[whole diary]

[Richard Fairhurst]

This isn't good.

* Off-Peak easement removed from 17.22, 17.52 and 18.22 from Paddington. Anytime tickets now required.
* Off-Peak Return price increased.
* New Super Off-Peak Return ticket introduced at a similar price to the old Off-Peak, valid from mid-morning (London-bound), not valid on 15.52-18.22 from Paddington.
* Some Off-Peak Day Return tickets removed entirely.

So an out-and-back journey on the Cathedrals Express from Charlbury to Paddington (out 08.31, back 18.22) increases from ^33.30 to ^62.40 - an increase of almost 90%.

The evening easement is a long-standing relaxation to recognise that the Cotswold Line has fewer trains, therefore fewer journey opportunities, than the "main lines" - one departure from Paddington between 18.00 and 19.00, vs five to Swindon or Oxford. There are also no Advance fares available on the Cotswold Line. (edited)

I'll leave others to speculate on the political sensibility of a 90% "stealth increase" from David Cameron's local station just ten days after the election.

Confirmed by @FGW^▸ (First Great Western) on Twitter. Hat-tip to original source.

[ChrisB]

Advance fares will be available for travel after May 17....

[Richard Fairhurst]

Thanks, corrected. I can't actually see any showing up on the journey-planner but I'll take your word for it...

[bobm]

Slightly unfortunate timing on a day when the service on the line has collapsed due to a points problem at Wolvercot.

[ChrisB]

Thanks, corrected. I can't actually see any showing up on the journey-planner but I'll take your word for it...

Sometime this week, I was told

[JayMac]

Ouch. I hope this makes the press before the election. I'd like to see the Tories justify these increases when they've just made a manifesto commitment to freeze fare rises.

Looks to me like a cynical move by FGW^▸ (First Great Western), probably in cahoots with the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about), to get the fares rise in before the next Parliament and before any manifesto commitment goes 'live'. I really hope this doesn't stay under the radar and I've a good mind, even though not directly affected, to contact the press in the areas affected by this shameful price gouging.

[ChrisB]

Been underpriced for years compared with fares for similar distances elsewhere on the GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line). Not excusing ot by a mile, just suggesting that'll likely be their defence. I would suggest waiting until you see how many Advance fares become available & whether they sell out though

[JayMac]

Advance fares are a different product, quota controlled, with different conditions, no refunds and zero flexibility. If FGW^▸ (First Great Western) suggest they are a suitable alternative to massively increased walk-up fares, they are misguided at best and deliberately obfuscatory at worst.

[bobm]

..and where is the constituency David Cameron is defending?

[JayMac]

I think he's a shoe-in for MP^▸ (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post - a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London, depending on context) whatever happens.

As for PM... woluldn't wanna call that one. 

[Richard Fairhurst]

It seems a brave decision for FGW^▸ (First Great Western) to take just a few months before Oxford Parkway opens.

It also seems a brave decision given that some people will no doubt choose not to linger so long in London, and instead get the last through train before the peak restrictions start. That'll be the infamous 15.52...

[ellendune]

So an out-and-back journey on the Cathedrals Express from Charlbury to Paddington (out 08.31, back 18.22) increases from ^33.30 to ^62.40 - an increase of almost 90%.

The evening easement is a long-standing relaxation to recognise that the Cotswold Line has fewer trains, therefore fewer journey opportunities, than the "main lines" - one departure from Paddington between 18.00 and 19.00, vs five to Swindon or Oxford. There are also no Advance fares available on the Cotswold Line. (edited)

Similar distance from Swindon to Paddington, but the out and back fare for that is almost exactly twice as much as your new increased price (^124) so I really do not see what you have got complain about. 

[jdw.wor]

Worcester's service is not comparable with Swindon's. There is still a two hour gap in services and it is mighty slow, averaging out at about 2hrs. 20mins for the through trip. You are not comparing like with like. In other areas of life I am sure you would accept that a low quality product should not be charged at the same level as a higher quality one.

[JayMac]

I wondered how long it would be before the "I pay more, so why shouldn't you?" argument was raised.

Seem the exact same justification for this price gouging on other forums.

[ChrisB]

And why shouldn't fares be based on a similar pence-per-mile cost?