Fare increases on the Severn Beach line

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

that doesn't seem at all unreasonable.

It's only reasonable to those who don't have to pay for them.

There are low fares in many parts if the country. So, by that reasoning, it's okay for them to rise by 30-60% in one go.

And some the lowest fares of all are paid by those who use the rail network the most. Perhaps it's time we also looked at raising season ticket prices to better reflect the actual cost of transporting season ticket holders.

The Turbos and other improvements are coming not just to the Severn Beach Line, but to a much wider 'Greater Bristol' area covering North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset. Shouldn't all the rail users in those areas be contributing more too, if that is to be the reason for SVB Line increases?

By all means, allow the SVB Line fares to 'catch up' with the increases to regulated fares across the rest of the network. But do it incrementally. Not 60% in one go.

I suspect the Severnside Community Rail Partnership will endorse the increases. They know which side their bread is buttered.

[ChrisB]

There are low fares in many parts if the country. So, by that reasoning, it's okay for them to rise by 30-60% in one go.

Yup, why not? Especially when 100& rise = £1

And some the lowest fares of all are paid by those who use the rail network the most. Perhaps it's time we also looked at raising season ticket prices to better reflect the actual cost of transporting season ticket holders.

The amount of money being stumped up *in advance* does entitle one to a discount - you are effectively loaning potentially several £thousands well in advance if buying annual tickets. There is however an argument that they are overpriced these days as they're based on 4 weeks discount for annual holidays. There are many who get more than that these days and are therefore paying even while on leave!

It seems as though the Campaign for Better Transport (CBT^‡(resolve)) are campaigning for part-time seasons *at the same discount* as for full seasons. How can that be when the amount of money being paid upfront is either 4% or even 60% less? No that won't happen, will it? Because that is why seasons are discounted - for paying in advance, not a discount for number of trips taken.

The Turbos and other improvements are coming not just to the Severn Beach Line, but to a much wider 'Greater Bristol' area covering North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset. Shouldn't all the rail users in those areas be contributing more too, if that is to be the reason for SVB Line increases?

wait and see...?

By all means, allow the SVB Line fares to 'catch up' with the increases to regulated fares across the rest of the network. But do it incrementally. Not 60% in one go.

why not - it's £5/week.....Sky subs go up that much. explain.....

[John R]

The Turbos and other improvements are coming not just to the Severn Beach Line, but to a much wider 'Greater Bristol' area covering North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset. Shouldn't all the rail users in those areas be contributing more too, if that is to be the reason for SVB Line increases?

Not if their fares are higher already. 

Let's look at an example.  NLS is 8 miles journey from Temple Meads, Avonmouth is 9 miles (less by road admittedly).


Current Fares:

Off Peak single
Nailsea:              4.40 (4.50 in peak)
Avonmouth now: 2.00 (same in peak)
Avonmouth new: 3.00


Off peak return
Nailsea:             4.50 (4.90 in peak)
Avonmouth now  3.00 (same in peak)
Avonmouth new 4.00

Weekly season
Nailsea:             23.50
Avonmouth now   9.00
Avonmouth new  15.00


With regard to seasons, the NLS weekly season gives a saving of just £1, or 4% on the daily peak cost of 4.90x5 and more than the off peak return price.  Hardly the big saving you are suggesting.  Whereas the Avonmouth fare currently gives a £6 saving or 40%. It will still give a saving of £5 or 25% under the new proposals.

At £9 for a weekly, the fare is 10p per mile, compared with 29.3p a mile from Nailsea.  Turning that around, pax from Avonmouth pay just a third of the rate that Nailsea passengers do. And NLS is of course just an example, other stations will be similar.

So fares will still be much cheaper than other lines in the Bristol area, and yes, I do think a substantial rise is necessary, appropriate and overdue.

 

[ChrisB]

Indeed, and surely it is unfair on all the commuters paying those higher prices that John R mentions. I think you are feeling aggrieved for the wrong set of travellers, BNM?