Early Day Motions on rail fares

[Mojo]

Hi all,

You may be interested on the following two EDMs on rail fares.

Number 2249: http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=39511&SESSION=899

That this House notes that rail travel is an increasingly popular and environmentally-friendly form of transport; further notes the system of ticketing is complex, especially where several train operating companies run along one line, where peak travel times are not clearly stated or where specific routes are not evident to users; believes that rail tickets and train services do not always make clear which trains a customer may travel on; and calls on Network Rail and rail companies to provide a simple, clear system of ticketing and pre-boarding train information.

Number 1852: http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=39072&SESSION=899

That this House notes that the UK has the highest train fares in Europe; further notes that the Government is cutting its financial contribution to rail and making passengers pay a greater share, and that this policy leads to fare increases on regulated and unregulated tickets in real terms every year, which will mean ticket price rises in real terms in 2010, even though there may be a nominal decrease in some tickets due to deflation; further notes that rail is a low carbon mode of transport; recognises that modal shift to public transport could achieve significant carbon reduction; and calls on the Government to review current rail fares regulation and policy, with a view to reducing fares to encourage more people to take the train instead of driving or flying.

The last one is especially important, just had a message from CfBT asking people to get in touch with their MPs as it is from last year so there's only a few days left!

 

[DaveNewcastle]

I'm sure most people on here would want to support these views - and there's nothing wrong with dropping an email of encouragement to your MP to support them too.

But sadly, the government has a very poor track record of giving E D M's any time for debate and certainly not the whip which might get members in to commit to doing anything. Its not as if an E D M is a Bill which has been drafted to become a legally binding Act.
Worth a punt though.

 

[Greenback]

It's worth a punt because, if nothing else, it helps keep the issue of the complex fares in the minds of MP's - especially if people contact them and ask them to support it!

 

[Metroland]

They not only need to simplify fares, but innovative marketing ideas such as month or year long off peak rovers and loyalty cards need to be brought in.

Above all the railways need to control cost. It is a cheap form of transport despite all the counter claims made about it - certainly a lot cheaper than paying on average £6,000 per year out for a car. But it could be a lot better, there needs to be more innovation in track and signalling, a clear out of red tape, realistic bonuses for employees and a control on union pay demands.

 

[Greenback]

They not only need to simplify fares, but innovative marketing ideas such as month or year long off peak rovers and loyalty cards need to be brought in.

Above all the railways need to control cost. It is a cheap form of transport despite all the counter claims made about it - certainly a lot cheaper than paying on average £6,000 per year out for a car. But it could be a lot better, there needs to be more innovation in track and signalling, a clear out of red tape, realistic bonuses for employees and a control on union pay demands.

Exactly right. Mrs Greenback and I have one car (which she needs as she travels in rural areas for work) and we can't afford a second one, as what with the cost of monthly payments, insurance, petrol, oil, repairs, MoT's etc it would be far more than I pay for my rail season ticket and occasional bus fares over the year.

I think though, that we ar eunlikely to see the sot of improvements that you and I would both like, as many services even outside the peak are overcrowded. We were on a train at 1300 on a Friday which was so crowded people were left behind to wait for the next one an hour later! The best we can hope for is localised promotions aimed to spreading demand.