"Trains are a rich man's toy" says Transport Minister.

Danthus

Danthus

Danthus

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Britain's rail fares are now so high that trains have become a "rich man's toy", Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has said.

He told the Commons transport committee it was an "uncomfortable fact" that customers had "significantly higher incomes" than the general population.

Mr Hammond added that some fares on the West Coast Mainline were "eye-wateringly expensive".

Commuter season tickets are set to rise by about 8% on average next year.

The above-inflation increase is part of the government's agenda to reduce the cost to the public purse of running the rail network.

But the Campaign for Better Transport described the change as a "disaster for people already struggling with rising costs".
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-14904610

He doesn't mean buying a train, just the fares. :D
 
I loose my 16-25 Railcard by mid Oct.
Unless I'm booking weeks in advance, I'd rather drive than take a train, especially if my missus is coming too. Yes, fuel is expensive, but train runs on extra high octane unleaded or something.
 
Mainly because we are focusing on fast long distance travel.
Rather than reliable short distance, high capacity. IMO the whole planning is totally back to front and everything is focused in the wrong place.
 
Train prices are a joke now. For me to travel home with my partner (Elgin, Scotland to Penzance, Cornwall) booking in advance and off peak, it would cost £231.50 each for the cheapest return ticket. So the two of us home and back makes a total of £463. It also takes an average of 15 hours each way.

I can do it in the car for around £100 each way and it will only take between 10.5 and 12 hours each way.
 
pastymuncher said:
Train prices are a joke now. For me to travel home with my partner (Elgin, Scotland to Penzance, Cornwall) booking in advance and off peak, it would cost £231.50 each for the cheapest return ticket. So the two of us home and back makes a total of £463. It also takes an average of 15 hours each way.

I can do it in the car for around £100 each way and it will only take between 10.5 and 12 hours each way.
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Thats just absurd. how can the train companies justify such outrageous price-gouging?
 
It was terrible as a student seeing the prices go up all the time, I think when I started 3 years ago it was £1.90 and it's something like £3.10 now, only 9 minute train journey.
 
A railcard helps but prices certinaly used to be better. I wouldn't quite say it was unaffordable for your regular joe just yet, but its getting there.
 
It really is quicker and cheaper to drive (even in a car not focused on economy), on your own, in traffic, than it is to get the train. Crazy. Plus you can travel in comfort, with a guaranteed seat, and not have to put up with the general rabble.
 
What ****es me off is when I see those Birmingham to London adds for like £6 or £9 (just an example) and me where I can **** to London costs me £32 for a return ticket. :mad:

They just milk people, they know you have to pay the ticket if you want to work there or at least until you buy a car.
 
franco_22 said:
What ****es me off is when I see those Birmingham to London adds for like £6 or £9 (just an example) and me where I can **** to London costs me £32 for a return ticket. :mad:

They just milk people, they know you have to pay the ticket if you want to work there or at least until you buy a car.
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Trying getting told one day in your Manchester office you need to be in London for a 9am meeting the next day.... that can be ~£300. Ridiculous.
 
franco_22 said:
What ****es me off is when I see those Birmingham to London adds for like £6 or £9 (just an example) and me where I can **** to London costs me £32 for a return ticket. :mad:
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Yeah saw an ad today £9 to London single. Like cheap flights i guess.

Costs me nearly 50 quid Stafford > Leeds return. Outrageous
 
franco_22 said:
What ****es me off is when I see those Birmingham to London adds for like £6 or £9 (just an example) and me where I can **** to London costs me £32 for a return ticket. :mad:

They just milk people, they know you have to pay the ticket if you want to work there or at least until you buy a car.
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yeah its like £35 to london from surrey its a joke
 
When I pop into London (30 minute train-ride) it costs me at least £30. Not a huge amount, but it eats into the wages significantly.
 
I find booked in advance, train travel is very cheap.

I have two future trips booked - Plymouth to London for £13 and London to Plymouth £33 in First Class. Seems reasonable to me, the same trip would cost me £80 in the car + parking.
 
[TW]Fox;20062760 said:
I find booked in advance, train travel is very cheap.

I have two future trips booked - Plymouth to London for £13 and London to Plymouth £33 in First Class. Seems reasonable to me, the same trip would cost me £80 in the car + parking.
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I'm pretty sure you post something similar in every train thread. Everyone knows it's cheaper to book in advance but that's clearly not always possible so I'm not sure what you're actually contributing here.
 
arknor said:
cheaper to go by plane if theres airports near where your going ^_^ or just get a taxi
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This is so true and why trains are a total joke. I can fky from London to both Newcastle and Newquay for much cheaper than a train.

Flights from Gatwick to Newquay are less than £50 each way!
 
I travel from Exeter to Bristol every weekend and the price has gone from ~£10 to ~£16 with a rail card.

I dread to think how much it is to get an on-peak train, I've been lucky enough to come back Monday mornings and the conductors are usually too sleepy to notice I'm using an off-peak ticket.
 
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