Rail fares to increase by 8% next year
Discussion
Rail commuters are facing ticket rises of around 8% next year, following the release of latest inflation figures.
July's RPI inflation figure determines the rise in regulated fares, like season tickets.
RPI inflation for July was unchanged at 5%, meaning the average season ticket will rise by around 8%, although some companies may charge more.
Rail Minister Theresa Villiers said "difficult decisions" on fares had been taken due to the budget deficit.
The rises are part of the government's agenda to reduce the cost to the taxpayer of running the rail network.
For the last few years the formula for fare increases has generally been RPI inflation plus 1%, but for the next three years it is RPI plus 3%.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14538167
July's RPI inflation figure determines the rise in regulated fares, like season tickets.
RPI inflation for July was unchanged at 5%, meaning the average season ticket will rise by around 8%, although some companies may charge more.
Rail Minister Theresa Villiers said "difficult decisions" on fares had been taken due to the budget deficit.
The rises are part of the government's agenda to reduce the cost to the taxpayer of running the rail network.
For the last few years the formula for fare increases has generally been RPI inflation plus 1%, but for the next three years it is RPI plus 3%.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14538167
My p155 has literally just cooled down to "tepid" following the looting extravaganza and this happens, I could make p155 tea these days.
(I can hear myself adopting a "Dear BBC, OH WHY OH WHY OH WHY" tone as I begin to type this but here goes) ... The train service in this country is shocking, granted its not as bad as it used to be but any merit that improvement had is akin to saying "I dont mind being repeatedly punched in the face quite as much as minded being repeatedly kicked in the knackers". Despite delays being to some extent improved, the service is still woeful.
The thing that really makes me consider a career flogging Urine PG Tips about it though is the cost of the service.
Firstly: I know of no other service which I am obliged to pay for which functions in such a ludicrously non-value oriented way. Firstly it costs more to use the service during "peak hours" which I simply dont understand - arguably this is actually when the service is at its worst, and it costs twice as much ?. That not withstanding I dont understand how a service or good can be pedalled at a huge increase given that its *the same service or good* as it is during non peak hours, other than the seller thinking "hang on...."
I have never ever for example, gone into M&S to buy a sandwich at lunch only to be told "thatll be six quid please sir"... for a sandwich that would have been three quid had i bought it at 10 am, on the basis that its "lunch time now and everyone wants a sandwich".
This is made all the more balls-achingly annoying since the consumer of the service isnt even in a position to make a decision to buy at another time, I dont think many bosses are understanding enough to accept people turning up at 10am every morning so that their staff can travel more cheaply - so you dont have a choice.
Secondly: What exactly is it that I am paying (and paying the "peak rate" for too) for ?. It certainly isnt a seat on the train, thats for sure. Hazarding a guess it seems to be the case that i have paid 45 quid to stand up shifting my weight from one foot to the other for 50 minutes with my head in a strangers armpit whilst someone who smells like an elderly yak p*ssed in his coat stands next to me coughing in a way that suggests I probably should have worn a wipe clean suit jacket. Surely Ill get a seat on the way home though ? when im weary of a days pointlessness and simply want to sit and forget everyth... Oooh, actually no. Ill be either, a) stood with my head in the strangers other armpit, or if im very lucky with available space b) ill be sat on the floor using the free newspaper i picked up in the station to avoid getting chewing gum stuck to my arsecheeks (again).
Given that we are charged "peak rate" premiums - is there perhaps a reduction in price available if you dont actually get a seat ?. Stop laughing at the back.
The train service makes me want to stick forks into my own eyes. And now happily its going to cost more too, for the SQUARE ROOT OF F&CK ALL IMPROVEMENT.
<breathes>
I need more sleep.
R.
(I can hear myself adopting a "Dear BBC, OH WHY OH WHY OH WHY" tone as I begin to type this but here goes) ... The train service in this country is shocking, granted its not as bad as it used to be but any merit that improvement had is akin to saying "I dont mind being repeatedly punched in the face quite as much as minded being repeatedly kicked in the knackers". Despite delays being to some extent improved, the service is still woeful.
The thing that really makes me consider a career flogging Urine PG Tips about it though is the cost of the service.
Firstly: I know of no other service which I am obliged to pay for which functions in such a ludicrously non-value oriented way. Firstly it costs more to use the service during "peak hours" which I simply dont understand - arguably this is actually when the service is at its worst, and it costs twice as much ?. That not withstanding I dont understand how a service or good can be pedalled at a huge increase given that its *the same service or good* as it is during non peak hours, other than the seller thinking "hang on...."
I have never ever for example, gone into M&S to buy a sandwich at lunch only to be told "thatll be six quid please sir"... for a sandwich that would have been three quid had i bought it at 10 am, on the basis that its "lunch time now and everyone wants a sandwich".
This is made all the more balls-achingly annoying since the consumer of the service isnt even in a position to make a decision to buy at another time, I dont think many bosses are understanding enough to accept people turning up at 10am every morning so that their staff can travel more cheaply - so you dont have a choice.
Secondly: What exactly is it that I am paying (and paying the "peak rate" for too) for ?. It certainly isnt a seat on the train, thats for sure. Hazarding a guess it seems to be the case that i have paid 45 quid to stand up shifting my weight from one foot to the other for 50 minutes with my head in a strangers armpit whilst someone who smells like an elderly yak p*ssed in his coat stands next to me coughing in a way that suggests I probably should have worn a wipe clean suit jacket. Surely Ill get a seat on the way home though ? when im weary of a days pointlessness and simply want to sit and forget everyth... Oooh, actually no. Ill be either, a) stood with my head in the strangers other armpit, or if im very lucky with available space b) ill be sat on the floor using the free newspaper i picked up in the station to avoid getting chewing gum stuck to my arsecheeks (again).
Given that we are charged "peak rate" premiums - is there perhaps a reduction in price available if you dont actually get a seat ?. Stop laughing at the back.
The train service makes me want to stick forks into my own eyes. And now happily its going to cost more too, for the SQUARE ROOT OF F&CK ALL IMPROVEMENT.
<breathes>
I need more sleep.
R.
I'd love to see what the government are still putting into trains... I suspect it's not the subsidies that are dropping, or the service that's improving, just operator profits rising.
Familiar story now, isn't it?
8% on my ticket is only an extra £300 per year. It could be 13% on some lines though as 8& is 'an average'. (that would be £500 per year, or, essentially, an extra grand before tax).
It's still cheaper than driving my commute though (not that that excuses it).
Familiar story now, isn't it?
8% on my ticket is only an extra £300 per year. It could be 13% on some lines though as 8& is 'an average'. (that would be £500 per year, or, essentially, an extra grand before tax).
It's still cheaper than driving my commute though (not that that excuses it).
They were talking of charging a premium to cut down on the overcrowding on my line. I am already getting an earlier train in order to get a seat, but that option is not available in the evenings, so I get to stand almost every night.
The extra 8% will hurt, but who knows, perhaps they will reduce my tax bill to help.
The extra 8% will hurt, but who knows, perhaps they will reduce my tax bill to help.
M@verick said:
My p155 has literally just cooled down to "tepid" following the looting extravaganza and this happens, I could make p155 tea these days.
(I can hear myself adopting a "Dear BBC, OH WHY OH WHY OH WHY" tone as I begin to type this but here goes) ... The train service in this country is shocking, granted its not as bad as it used to be but any merit that improvement had is akin to saying "I dont mind being repeatedly punched in the face quite as much as minded being repeatedly kicked in the knackers". Despite delays being to some extent improved, the service is still woeful.
The thing that really makes me consider a career flogging Urine PG Tips about it though is the cost of the service.
Firstly: I know of no other service which I am obliged to pay for which functions in such a ludicrously non-value oriented way. Firstly it costs more to use the service during "peak hours" which I simply dont understand - arguably this is actually when the service is at its worst, and it costs twice as much ?. That not withstanding I dont understand how a service or good can be pedalled at a huge increase given that its *the same service or good* as it is during non peak hours, other than the seller thinking "hang on...."
I have never ever for example, gone into M&S to buy a sandwich at lunch only to be told "thatll be six quid please sir"... for a sandwich that would have been three quid had i bought it at 10 am, on the basis that its "lunch time now and everyone wants a sandwich".
This is made all the more balls-achingly annoying since the consumer of the service isnt even in a position to make a decision to buy at another time, I dont think many bosses are understanding enough to accept people turning up at 10am every morning so that their staff can travel more cheaply - so you dont have a choice.
Secondly: What exactly is it that I am paying (and paying the "peak rate" for too) for ?. It certainly isnt a seat on the train, thats for sure. Hazarding a guess it seems to be the case that i have paid 45 quid to stand up shifting my weight from one foot to the other for 50 minutes with my head in a strangers armpit whilst someone who smells like an elderly yak p*ssed in his coat stands next to me coughing in a way that suggests I probably should have worn a wipe clean suit jacket. Surely Ill get a seat on the way home though ? when im weary of a days pointlessness and simply want to sit and forget everyth... Oooh, actually no. Ill be either, a) stood with my head in the strangers other armpit, or if im very lucky with available space b) ill be sat on the floor using the free newspaper i picked up in the station to avoid getting chewing gum stuck to my arsecheeks (again).
Given that we are charged "peak rate" premiums - is there perhaps a reduction in price available if you dont actually get a seat ?. Stop laughing at the back.
The train service makes me want to stick forks into my own eyes. And now happily its going to cost more too, for the SQUARE ROOT OF F&CK ALL IMPROVEMENT.
<breathes>
I need more sleep.
R.
Sounds fair enough to me....(I can hear myself adopting a "Dear BBC, OH WHY OH WHY OH WHY" tone as I begin to type this but here goes) ... The train service in this country is shocking, granted its not as bad as it used to be but any merit that improvement had is akin to saying "I dont mind being repeatedly punched in the face quite as much as minded being repeatedly kicked in the knackers". Despite delays being to some extent improved, the service is still woeful.
The thing that really makes me consider a career flogging Urine PG Tips about it though is the cost of the service.
Firstly: I know of no other service which I am obliged to pay for which functions in such a ludicrously non-value oriented way. Firstly it costs more to use the service during "peak hours" which I simply dont understand - arguably this is actually when the service is at its worst, and it costs twice as much ?. That not withstanding I dont understand how a service or good can be pedalled at a huge increase given that its *the same service or good* as it is during non peak hours, other than the seller thinking "hang on...."
I have never ever for example, gone into M&S to buy a sandwich at lunch only to be told "thatll be six quid please sir"... for a sandwich that would have been three quid had i bought it at 10 am, on the basis that its "lunch time now and everyone wants a sandwich".
This is made all the more balls-achingly annoying since the consumer of the service isnt even in a position to make a decision to buy at another time, I dont think many bosses are understanding enough to accept people turning up at 10am every morning so that their staff can travel more cheaply - so you dont have a choice.
Secondly: What exactly is it that I am paying (and paying the "peak rate" for too) for ?. It certainly isnt a seat on the train, thats for sure. Hazarding a guess it seems to be the case that i have paid 45 quid to stand up shifting my weight from one foot to the other for 50 minutes with my head in a strangers armpit whilst someone who smells like an elderly yak p*ssed in his coat stands next to me coughing in a way that suggests I probably should have worn a wipe clean suit jacket. Surely Ill get a seat on the way home though ? when im weary of a days pointlessness and simply want to sit and forget everyth... Oooh, actually no. Ill be either, a) stood with my head in the strangers other armpit, or if im very lucky with available space b) ill be sat on the floor using the free newspaper i picked up in the station to avoid getting chewing gum stuck to my arsecheeks (again).
Given that we are charged "peak rate" premiums - is there perhaps a reduction in price available if you dont actually get a seat ?. Stop laughing at the back.
The train service makes me want to stick forks into my own eyes. And now happily its going to cost more too, for the SQUARE ROOT OF F&CK ALL IMPROVEMENT.
<breathes>
I need more sleep.
R.
Last time I went on a train it was up to Newcastle from Loughborough. I booked my ticket way in advance, though it was still more expensive than a return trip in the car and took longer. Did I get my seat? Did I b
ks, I couldn't even move down the aisle to actually get to the person who was sat in my seat to tell them to move. It was absolutely chock full of standing people.I had to wait about 90 minutes before enough people got off before I could get to my seat.
I mean surely they know, surely there is a system in place that tells them how many seats have been purchased.... I don't think they care, just over book the sodding thing and take the money. This is why that was the last train I went on.
In a recent IMechE, PE magazine they did explain part of why the service costs so damn much is because of how the system is partially privatised. Theres so many middle men between all the different bodies and companies taking their little slice of the pie that it makes the whole thing ludicrously cost - inefficient.
Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Tuesday 16th August 13:32
A truly bizarre business who's sole aim is to p1ss of their customers and put anyone potential new customer off.
No other business in the 10 years i've commuted has:
Increased from £379 a month to potentially £650, (certain EMT will manage the absolute max of 13%).
Decreased services, lost near 40% of peak services
Increased journey times, no fast service for my station anymore.
Removed seat reservations for commuters yet on their f@cking ridiculous 'red dot' days you can reserve one with your £1 super subsidised ooh look a train window licker ticket.
Coffee has gone from completely free to £2.20 last time i looked, (been a couple of weeks so probably £2.30 now). Which you can't pay by anything other by cash and if you'd like a real drink forget ice, (assuming you can afford£8+ with a mixer), as they closed all the buffet cars and now attempt to prowl the over crowed isles with a s0dding trolley.
Unfortunately the railway is an extremely expensive luxury but one many of us are stuck with.
As for buses.............
No other business in the 10 years i've commuted has:
Increased from £379 a month to potentially £650, (certain EMT will manage the absolute max of 13%).
Decreased services, lost near 40% of peak services
Increased journey times, no fast service for my station anymore.
Removed seat reservations for commuters yet on their f@cking ridiculous 'red dot' days you can reserve one with your £1 super subsidised ooh look a train window licker ticket.
Coffee has gone from completely free to £2.20 last time i looked, (been a couple of weeks so probably £2.30 now). Which you can't pay by anything other by cash and if you'd like a real drink forget ice, (assuming you can afford£8+ with a mixer), as they closed all the buffet cars and now attempt to prowl the over crowed isles with a s0dding trolley.
Unfortunately the railway is an extremely expensive luxury but one many of us are stuck with.
As for buses.............
Fer said:
They were talking of charging a premium to cut down on the overcrowding on my line. I am already getting an earlier train in order to get a seat, but that option is not available in the evenings, so I get to stand almost every night.
The extra 8% will hurt, but who knows, perhaps they will reduce my tax bill to help.
cut down overcrowding, yeah because all these people have to get the trains at the same times every day for the good of their health. The extra 8% will hurt, but who knows, perhaps they will reduce my tax bill to help.
Way I see it is, the commuters are practically a captive market.... they have little choice but to pay up or get another job. Corner the market, charge what you like.
The_Burg said:
Removed seat reservations for commuters yet on their f@cking ridiculous 'red dot' days you can reserve one with your £1 super subsidised ooh look a train window licker ticket.
Yeah, there is nothing quite like getting the last seat available, then 2 minutes before departure some smut git turns up saying "you're in my reserved seat" 
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