Tonight:
5°c
Poor service ... and out of pocket
Dick Murray, Transport Editor2 Jan 2008
Passenger watchdogs and opposition politicians hit out at the increases, despite the operator's attempts to justify them:
BRIAN COOKE, chairman of London TravelWatch, said: "We shall be asking the Government to conduct a full, preferably independent, audit of this year's increases - by all providers - to confirm that they come within the maximum allowed in law.
Highlighting First Great Western, he added: "One would hope that the abysmal train services that FGW provides for its passengers was taken into account when deciding fare changes, but it seems not only are FGW passengers receiving a poor service, but will be hit in the pocket, too."
GEORGE MUIR, director general of the Association of Train Operating Companies, tried to justify the increases by shifting the blame on to the Government. He said increasing fares would mean the taxpayer not having to pay so much.
"The Government made clear in its Rail White Paper of July 2007 that more of the cost of running the railway should be met by passengers and less by taxpayers," he said. "Billions are being spent to improve the railway and the results are showing. We are now running a higher-performing railway with new, refurbished and more punctual trains and better stations."
But virtually everyone else sought to condemn the increases.
THERESA VILLIERS, shadow transport secretary, said: "The Government's fingerprints are all over these fare rises.
"They have been running the train franchising process like a Dutch auction where their top priority has been how to get train operating companies to squeeze as much money as possible from passengers.
"Many will feel angry and let down that 10 years of Labour government have led to repeated above-inflation fare hikes that are putting real pressure on family budgets."
ANTHONY SMITH, chief executive of Passenger Focus, the national rail watchdog: "A chill wind will blow down many of Britain's platforms when passengers find out their new fares."
Mr Smith said passenger anger would be fuelled when they realised that on some routes where performance was so poor they received a five per cent discount, prices had now increased in real terms.
BRIAN PADDICK, Liberal-Democrat Mayoral candidate: "Ken Livingstone announced with great fanfare that he was freezing Tube and bus fares in 2008.
"Not only was this a cynical election ploy but it disguises the fact that Londoners are paying over the odds for a poorer service, particularly on the Underground.
"Ken likes to compare the Tube with the New York subway, and yet New Yorkers pay a quarter of what Londoners do for a daily, weekly or monthly all-zone pass."
STEPHEN JOSEPH, executive director of Campaign for Better Transport (formerly Transport 2000): "These fare hikes are bad for people and bad for the environment.
"Once again the Government is talking tall but walking short in ensuring the transport sector tackles climate change."
NORMAN BAKER, Lib-Dem shadow transport secretary: "Despite the threat of climate change British people are being driven back on to the roads. This is unconnected government at its worst."
