Would you pay more to get new trains?

[Kingfisher200262]

In connection with this thread, would you pay a fare uplift to be able to replace a Pacer with a new DMU, say a 172?

Remember, this would not guarantee you a seat on the shiny new train, because we're only talking about replacing one old vehicle with another new vehicle.

 

[crewmeal]

Well, we will be paying higher fares anyway regardless. 13% rises in the new year on some lines? Maybe operating companies and National Rail should invest in new line side equipment so today's trains could run in the snow.

 

[Greenback]

I thought one of the benefits of privatisation was to unleash the dynamic entrepreneurship of the private sector, who would be keen to invest in improvements as other busineeses do to make more money in the end. Oh no, hang on, there's no incentive for them to do that in the chosen model, so we are expected to fork out over and over again.

The more people that vote yes, the more evidence there is for the npowers that be to say that passengers are perfectly happy to pay more for new trains.

 

[Zoe]

The current system gives train companies a monopoly on their routes with a few exceptions. What incentive is there for a private company to invest in new stock when they can just keep the extra profit for their shareholders?

 

[4SRKT]

Personally I'd say no, but then as a dyed in the wool crank who prefers knackered old diesels (even pacers) to anything made out of plastic in Spain or China, my opinion my not either be relevant or mainstream.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Well, we will be paying higher fares anyway regardless. 13% rises in the new year on some lines? Maybe operating companies and National Rail should invest in new line side equipment so today's trains could run in the snow.

And perhaps we should completely enclose the railway lines to stop snow, rain, sun, leaves, cattle, cars, trespassers and land slide/slips from causing delays.

I little perspective please, the average increase is around 6%, a yearly ticket from my local station into Manchester would rise by less than £75 in the new year if it rose by 13%. My shopping bill for the new year WILL rise by well over £300 purely because of the VAT increase of 2.5%.

 

[Greenback]

The current system gives train companies a monopoly on their routes with a few exceptions. What incentive is there for a private company to invest in new stock when they can just keep the extra profit for their shareholders?

Precisely. Zeron incentive, especially if the government, taxpayers and passengers will fund the replacements.

 

[wibble]

What incentive is there for a private company to invest in new stock when they can just keep the extra profit for their shareholders?

None - who would make a large capital investment if they had to make a return on it within c7-10 years of a franchise? That's why they have train leasing companies who can make a return on their investment over a longer period...

 

[GodAtum]

I would say yes if there could be more capacity, ie longer trains or double deckers.

 

[Lampshade]

No. The TOCs make enough profit as it is - take Northern, £15m profit last year yet still leeches off the taxpayer with subsidies and wants everyone else to pay for strengthening to services etc.

 

[142094]

No, as there would be no guarantee that the money would be spent on the area I travel in. However I would be prepared to pay more for new units if it was implemented in the same way as the PTEs did (such as Nexus with the 143s and WYPTE/Metro with the 144s.

I would much rather see the profits that go to TOCs be reinvested in the railway rather than going to shareholders. However that is a different point.

 

[yorksrob]

I'd rather see existing trains refurbed and used for as long as practically possible. Then theoretically I'd pay more for new trains. As 142042 says, It's not always clear if the payer will always benefit. That said, if I was paying for extra rolling stock I'd settle for a cascade. Come to think of it - I'd probably just pay regardless if I needed or wanted to go somewhere. Best not to go into where exactly the money goes too closely.

 

[ph1985]

And perhaps we should completely enclose the railway lines to stop snow, rain, sun, leaves, cattle, cars, trespassers and land slide/slips from causing delays.

I little perspective please, the average increase is around 6%, a yearly ticket from my local station into Manchester would rise by less than £75 in the new year if it rose by 13%. My shopping bill for the new year WILL rise by well over £300 purely because of the VAT increase of 2.5%.

Whatever your opinions on government, that £300 is going back to the public purse to help the country's finances. The £75 [the amount is really irrelevant] is going straight to the TOC despite them providing zero extra service quality.