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by scatters 1861 days ago
High fares (and they aren't that high) aren't a result of privatization; they're because of a lack of subsidy. In the UK, despite the obvious environmental benefits, subsidizing rail is politically awkward because it's regressive.
3 comments
tonyedgecombe 1861 days ago
Yes, it's hard to argue I should be putting my hand in my pocket to pay for the train fare for my neighbour so they can earn a London wage.

People do complain about the fares but the trains are full so it's questionable whether they are too high.

If I'm looking at it from an environmental perspective I'd argue the other options (cars, planes) are too cheap.

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chanc3e 1861 days ago
Interesting that you see rail as a method to earn a wage.

I think it's positively evil for society that someone on minimum wage can't visit family or relations because they can't afford the fare.

That hurts everyone.

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tonyedgecombe 1861 days ago
>Interesting that you see rail as a method to earn a wage.

Because that is the reality for the majority of rail travel. Off-peak is an afterthought.

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rbanffy 1861 days ago
If privatisation of essential services is a crime (it’s not, but it should be), privatising the subsidies and directing them to private companies is much worse.

If one has a basic right to healthcare, education, and freedom of movement, then all those things should be provided by the state.

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chanc3e 1861 days ago
They are high.

I had to get from the West, to London, and then to the north last week.

Wiltshire to London: ~100miles, £24 London to Derbyshire: ~120miles, £158

I'd like to give the benefit of the doubt about peak times, but I started my journey at 10:30am. The prices make no sense; unless viewed through the private entities ability to gouge.

Whenever I'm in Europe and buy a ticket I spend an extra 20secs at the ticket machine thinking I've made a currency conversion badly before realising, no, European trains are great value and UK trains are an exercise in exploiting a captive market.

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scatters 1861 days ago
You're lying or deluded. STP-DBY, 10:32 on Monday 24 May: £53 Advance, £67 Off Peak. The most expensive ticket is the First Class Anytime, at £145.50.
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