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Tim
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« on: October 14, 2009, 14:45:57 » |
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Is anyone who thinks car parking should be free at stations (or hospitals, which is the other place parking charges causes grumbles) able to give me a rational reason why those travelling to the station by alternative means (bus, taxi) shouldn't get free/reduced fares?
Parking and train travel should each be reasonably and fairly priced (and I accept that sometimes neither are and certain travellers and parkers are viewed as cash-cows which is wrong), but they are two separate services and I can't therefore see why they can't be charged separetely.
If you have a meal at a restaurant, you don't complain that you have to pay separately for your drinks.
The argument "my ticket is very expensive therefore I should be able to park free" is an argument against very expensive tickets, not one for free parking. If you provide parking free you end up with those who walk to the station subsiding those who drive which does not strike me as very fair.
And BTline I would remind you that season ticket holders are usually paying far lower fares than other travellers - why should they get another perk?
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Btline
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« Reply #1 on: October 14, 2009, 15:18:49 » |
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Almost all stations within the Centro area are free of charge all day every day. As a result, the car parks are very big in many cases. Many people who live just out of the area drive to get to a free car park. Having more free car parks would take the pressure off the existing car parks, and help the environment as people drive fewer miles to the station.
Encouraging use of buses can be done with PlusBus and through ticketing.
Many people HAVE to drive to the station. Either because of non existent or unreliable buses. Or because it's quicker. After a long train journey I don't want to wait in the rain and cold for a bus that will take ages to get me part of the way home, followed by a walk!
Season ticket holders are the railways' best, most frequent and reliable customers. Why shouldn't they park for free?
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matt473
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« Reply #2 on: October 14, 2009, 16:49:30 » |
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Is anyone who thinks car parking should be free at stations (or hospitals, which is the other place parking charges causes grumbles) able to give me a rational reason why those travelling to the station by alternative means (bus, taxi) shouldn't get free/reduced fares?
I agree completely with this in regards to using the bus (not so much taxi's though). Plus Bus I feel is a terrible idea in the fact it is an extra cost whereas it should be free, especially if local councils want to attract people to the main shopping centres or attractions in the area as very few stations are located near main town centres. Free bus travel to and from the station could be used to encourage more people to travel by train as a walk from Bristol centre to Temple Meads can be quite daunting with a large amount of shopping and young children. Travelling to the station by bus should also lead to at least some form reduction in fare, if not deducting the full bus fare up to say ^5.Yes there would be arguments as to who would fund this but if First allow you onto a bus in Bristol for free to get to the station to use their train services, then they have potentially more to gain. The same can be said for any areas where local TOCs▸ have bus companies in the area also owned by their parent company. This is of course wishful thinking but should be looked into by local authorities, Tocs and the dft. Public transport should work together and not be in competition between busses an trains when they should work together to reduce car journies. |
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Btline
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« Reply #3 on: October 14, 2009, 17:04:22 » |
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Anther comment. Any losses of revenue from any Rail/Bus co. would be made up in subsidies - e.g. what Centro do.
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devon_metro
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« Reply #4 on: October 14, 2009, 17:29:51 » |
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My main gripe with Plus Bus is the fact that I cannot buy it on the bus when travelling towards the station!
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vacman
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« Reply #5 on: October 15, 2009, 22:18:59 » |
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why shouldn't season ticket holders get perks? yes they get a discount but whenever you buy anything in bulk (which is effectively what seasons are) then you get a discount, they are the bread and butter of the railway and basicly subsidise joe bloggs and his family who travel once a year but expect the world!
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JayMac
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« Reply #6 on: October 15, 2009, 22:31:59 » |
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why shouldn't season ticket holders get perks? yes they get a discount but whenever you buy anything in bulk (which is effectively what seasons are) then you get a discount, they are the bread and butter of the railway and basicly subsidise joe bloggs and his family who travel once a year but expect the world!
So cheap or free car parking for season ticket holders as a perk? What perk for season holders without a car? |
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"A clear conscience laughs at a false accusation."
"Treat everyone the same until you find out they're an idiot."
"Moral indignation is a technique used to endow the idiot with dignity."
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Btline
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« Reply #7 on: October 15, 2009, 22:57:12 » |
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why shouldn't season ticket holders get perks? yes they get a discount but whenever you buy anything in bulk (which is effectively what seasons are) then you get a discount, they are the bread and butter of the railway and basicly subsidise joe bloggs and his family who travel once a year but expect the world!
What perk for season holders without a car? Not paying for insurance, petrol and wear and tear! |
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #8 on: October 15, 2009, 23:03:11 » |
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I have to pay the annual premium for my car insurance, whether I choose to drive to the station or not.  |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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JayMac
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« Reply #9 on: October 15, 2009, 23:15:37 » |
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And I have wear and tear on my shoes. And increased energy comsumption to fuel me for the walk/cycle to the station. Can I get a rebate on those please?
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"A clear conscience laughs at a false accusation."
"Treat everyone the same until you find out they're an idiot."
"Moral indignation is a technique used to endow the idiot with dignity."
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #11 on: October 16, 2009, 00:11:16 » |
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Hmm. All those without a car save on insurance, petrol and wear and tear - whether they are season ticket holders or not. Your move.  |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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JayMac
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« Reply #12 on: October 16, 2009, 01:25:49 » |
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One all.....
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"A clear conscience laughs at a false accusation."
"Treat everyone the same until you find out they're an idiot."
"Moral indignation is a technique used to endow the idiot with dignity."
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Trowres
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« Reply #13 on: October 16, 2009, 22:17:48 » |
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why shouldn't season ticket holders get perks? yes they get a discount but whenever you buy anything in bulk (which is effectively what seasons are) then you get a discount, they are the bread and butter of the railway and basicly subsidise joe bloggs and his family who travel once a year but expect the world!
I dispute the idea that season ticket holders subsidise the joe bloggses. The relationship is closer to a symbiosis - each group would be paying more without the other. |
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Btline
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« Reply #14 on: October 16, 2009, 22:28:08 » |
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Hmm. All those without a car save on insurance, petrol and wear and tear - whether they are season ticket holders or not. Your move. I also mentioned people who buy a >^10 ticket. 2-1  |
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