Another year, another huge rise in rail fares.

[rascal]

Prices to rise by 2.2% on average from January with more season tickets that top £5,000 a year.

Just koff already.

 

[toffee matt]

Lowest rise in 5 years but still too much.

 

[teppic]

I saw this and I see the BBC have already changed their headline regarding it. About an hour ago it was billed as 'the lowest fare rise in 5 years' now they have decided that we all see through that and just another rise. They also have a nice graphic on there trying to convince us that rail companies only make 3% in profits off their income.

 

[Tubey]

Paid near £300 from Liverpool to London the other month. Then got a train from Liverpool to Glasgow for £14.

The rises aren't really the problem, it's the price system, which is overly complicated and makes no logical sense.

 

[rascal]

Prices should be aligned with those on the continent but then again those shareholders need paying. Can't let them go without of course, the poor darlings.

 

[Pat's Van]

Paid near £300 from Liverpool to London the other month.

are you serious ??? you can fly to the middle east for that

 

[roydo]

Paid near £300 from Liverpool to London the other month. Then got a train from Liverpool to Glasgow for £14.

The rises aren't really the problem, it's the price system, which is overly complicated and makes no logical sense.

Spot on that. I can get a return from Bristol to North Wales for about £15. £100s though if I need to go anywhere via Birmingham.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Prices should be aligned with those on the continent but then again those shareholders need paying. Can't let them go without of course, the poor darlings.

How much profit do rail companies make (as a % of their turnover)

 

[toffee matt]

Prices should be aligned with those on the continent but then again those shareholders need paying. Can't let them go without of course, the poor darlings.

The funny thing is most of the continental rail companies operate franchises here. Charging more than they'd ever dare to in Germany/Holland/France etc

 

[toffee matt]

How much profit do rail companies make (as a % of their turnover)

 

[Tubey]

Those figures are cow manure and everyone knows it. Some clever accountancy in effect there.

 

[The Cowboy]

My trainline boasted a 99.94% punctuality yesterday, has some of the best rolling stock on the UK network, 8 trains an hour at peak times, perfectly up-to-scratch stations across the network, yet I know they'll be raising their prices along with everyone else, and I already pay £3000 a year.

It is just pure profiteering, they simply do not NEED the cash.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

So the next question to consider, I'd have thought is are the rail companies mandated to invest a certain amount in the network as part of their license? I mean there was news last year of something like £35bn being invested. That's got to come from somewhere, and with railways super popular these days, the passenger is likely to pick up the tab.

Is that kind of investment mandatory or could you have a scenario whereby less is invested and prices kept down? Would passengers accept that?

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Those figures are cow manure and everyone knows it. Some clever accountancy in effect there.

The accounts must be in the public domain though? Surely someone could pick them apart if they wanted?

 

[roydo]

Do coach companies pay for investment in roads, and maintaining them? Obviously via fuel tax/corporation tax and stuff, but as an actual levy?