Rip-off Britain

Train fares were increased by up to 7.3% on Tuesday, prompting the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA), the union for people in transport and travel, to publish figures showing that train fares in the UK are the most expensive in Europe. A standard single from Manchester Piccadilly to London (321 km) costs £109.50 (34p/km). In contrast the 623 km journey from Madrid to Barcelona costs only £63 (10p/km).

Gerry Doherty, TSSA general secretary said ‘We have the most expensive railway in Europe and unless ministers act to enforce affordable fares we will have a system that will soon be the preserve of the middle classes. In the rest of Europe, we have a publicly owned system with family friendly fares and it is used by the whole population, young and old alike. Here we have a system where the fares are too high and it is a lottery to find the right ticket at the right price. We need lower fares and a ticket structure that everyone can understand.’

We find it increasingly difficult to comprehend why it is cheaper to fly than travel by train, especially when train services are heavily subsidised by our taxes.