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[Dusty]

On the news this lunchtime.

Rail fares in Britain are 50% higher than the equivalent services in Europe.

Is this because our Rail travel is of a far higher standard ,than in Germany ,France or Switzerland.

[HolyCount]

On the news this lunchtime.

Rail fares in Britain are 50% higher than the equivalent services in Europe.

Is this because our Rail travel is of a far higher standard ,than in Germany ,France or Switzerland.

Cough ... splutter

[unlucky alf]

the thing ive never worked out is why is it more expensive in peak times?, you pay more but less likely to get a seat

[Mr Skrunts]

the thing ive never worked out is why is it more expensive in peak times?, you pay more but less likely to get a seat

It costs more coz they know you have to pay it.

For example my Sister is a Teacher and her Hubby works for a Steel company.  He is forced to take holidays during the shutdown fortnight, so they book a fornight abroad every year and are forced to pay full whack ans darnt even leave it too long before they book incase they cant get in.

But in Germany apparently they are not allowed to take advantage of Bank Holidays and Peak rate.




Also I reckon prices are high to keep the service going, which in turn stops people using the trains, if they kept prices reasonable then more people would use them.  Same with the buses.


It seems to be only this country that takes advantage.

[HolyCount]

the thing ive never worked out is why is it more expensive in peak times?, you pay more but less likely to get a seat

It costs more coz they know you have to pay it.

For example my Sister is a Teacher and her Hubby works for a Steel company.  He is forced to take holidays during the shutdown fortnight, so they book a fornight abroad every year and are forced to pay full whack ans darnt even leave it too long before they book incase they cant get in.

But in Germany apparently they are not allowed to take advantage of Bank Holidays and Peak rate.




Also I reckon prices are high to keep the service going, which in turn stops people using the trains, if they kept prices reasonable then more people would use them.  Same with the buses.


It seems to be only this country that takes advantage.

I remember, years ago ( can't remember yesterday -- but no problem with years ago!) ... anyway, I digress (is rambling a sign of dementia too? )...  ah yes, years ago British Rail (as it was then) did an offer, at a peak time of the year, they halved their prices across the board for (I think) a week.  After the offer a BR spokesman was interviewed and he said it was a great success, as more than twice as many passengers had travelled at half price, BR made more money that week. In fact, it was so successful that they must do it again.

The offer was never repeated  

They just don't learn. As said the same aapplies to buses and the cinema ---- how often do they run films for a quarter filled auditorium?

[Mr Skrunts]

They wonder why they have problems. :-/

[pscocoa]

The answer lies largely in subsidy differences between countries - see below

Extract from Independent
In terms of the number of services provided, Britain is at the top of the class. We have more trains per hour in the short and longer commuter categories than our European rivals. We also perform well in terms of the number of long-distance trains offered, with more long-distance services available to our second city, Birmingham, than elsewhere in Europe.

Is the study credible?

It is the most authoritative attempt to make this comparison to date. It is the first time that a comprehensive, Europe-wide study has been completed. The study was commissioned by former Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly amid concerns about fares and the performance of Britain’s rail network after low passenger satisfaction ratings emerged.

What is pushing prices up?

Passenger Focus largely blames the high fare prices on the Government’s determination to lower the subsidy that the taxpayer currently hands to the rail industry. The Government wants passengers to bear 75 per cent of the costs, up from the current 50-50 split. Others blame the high price paid for rail franchises by rail operators, but the Government is adamant that these will not be renegotiated.

So what is the answer?

The call from Passenger Focus is for a reversal of the policy to cut the Government subsidy, and the introduction of a blanket limit on the amount by which fares can be increased. It wants poor performing operators to be prevented from implementing the full fare increased allowed.

Will the Government listen?

Passenger Focus is not just a pressure group – it was set up by the Government to act as an independent watchdog for passengers across Britain. As such, it does have a close relationship with the Government and is regularly consulted on decisions made by the Department for Transport. Whether it has much influence on final decisions is a matter of debate. Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon received a copy of the report last week and its contents look set to be the topic for discussion when his transport minister, Lord Adonis, is quizzed by MPs next week.

Could fares come down?

The Government is not likely to change its approach on reducing the subsidy given to the rail system. It expects fares to fall this year anyway, as inflation falls. It also says that it would take an extra £500m from the taxpayer to bring prices down to the European level, which it believes would be an unfair burden. But outrage over the size of some of the rail fare increases at the start of this year – more than 10 per cent in some places – could well concentrate the minds of ministers

[Black Knight]

We have one of the most complex rail systems in Europe which carries more traffic than some of the other counties put together. We run more trains on a single day in Kent than they do in the whole of Switzerland! It takes a HUGE amount of money to renew and maintain our railway correctly.

I can understand the other side though, rail travel can be expensive but it has it's pro's and it's cons. I often visit friends on the South coast. £50 by train. Fast and cheaper than the car. Well this car anyway!

[Black Knight]

the thing ive never worked out is why is it more expensive in peak times?, you pay more but less likely to get a seat

I think it's discounted in the quiet times.

Bit like paying £4 for a beer on a Saturday night.

[tunnie]

Peak time return tickets are pricey, if i wanted a peak day return to London its £45, for one day. (with tube)

I pay £360 for the month (with tube)

I think the weekly ones are around £110 so its often better to get a season if you go more than twice.

Station car parking is the same, £5.50 before 9AM £3 after, my monthly ticket to park the car is £84

It would all be worth it if Chiltern got some fast trains, 70% of their fleet can't go faster than the motorway speed limit  

[M0T0RVATE]

the thing ive never worked out is why is it more expensive in peak times?, you pay more but less likely to get a seat

The old "supply and demand" bit...