why are train fares generally expensive in britain?

Question

Yes, you do get cheap ones if you book at least 3-4 weeks before your travel. But why the extortionate fee from around £94 for a single trip from Sheffield to London or Newquay to Sheffield, etc?

Everyone's into "going green" and it's one of the government's initiatives. Surely, people will gladly hop on trains than drive around if the fares are reasonable? It's ridiculous that airfares are so cheap these days. So why are train fares expensive?

Answer 1

It's based on a simple economic rule of supply and demand - seats all get sold at these prices.

The government will only endeavour to subsidise rail travel if it is seen as a vote-winning policy to do so.

If you want to contribute your best option is to always use a Virgin train where you can - all Virgin transport profits are now being used to research and promote sustainable energy resources.

Answer 2

There are some seriously good value walk up fares out there.

Exmouth to Truro - 140 miles each way with a journey time of 3 hours - £9 return!

Also there are such things as the Group Save (2 pay and 4 travel)

The highest fares are the most flexible - travel any time on any train, by any company and return within 30 days, when comparing with air remember that the cheapest airfares are booked months in advance too -

the equivent of Sheffield to Newquay is Leeds to Exeter by air traveling today works out at

Booking for 1 passenger

Airfare per Adult or Child £ 72.09 (per person)
Taxes and charges per Adult or Child £ 21.90 (per person)
Total amount of airfare and taxes due for 1 Adult £ 93.99 (total cost)

(Source Flybe.com)

But with the train if you miss you can get the next one at no extra cost in most cases

Answer 3

Since privatisation, fares are controlled on the whole by the train operating companies, who are not now under one banner of British Rail. I looked to move to Aylesbury as housing is so much cheaper there than in Hertfordshire where I live now, but an anunal ticket from there to Amersham (a 20 minute ride, and from where my staff pass covers me) is £1800! Thats quite a bit for the short journey that it is.

There has been something in the news about this lately, that for the same journey you can get dozens of different fares, for no obvious reason. It is something that has to be sorted before people will consider leaving their cars at home.

My aunt comes down from Newcastle and pays £18 return, and yet these tickets can go up to £200. Its madness really. Perhaps things will change, now that National Rail are introducing zonal charges in London, its only a matter of time before this spreads nationally.

Answer 4

We have the most expensive fares in the world since we had privatisation. This is despite massive subsidies paid to the train operating companies who make substantial profits for the directors pay packets and a bit for the share holders.

Answer 5

The British Government have turned British Railway's and London Transport over to their free enterprise mates who are now making a killing on the travel market! And the poor old British tax payer as usual have to foot the bill! Prices are going out the window,the reason they now have the monopoly is because Blair gave it to them!!!!!

Answer 6

Because the trains used to belong to the nation and were subsidised; under the tories the national industries were privatised and the shareholders want a profit on their investment.

Answer 7

I know what you mean, I can fly to another country cheaper than I can travel 33 miles to London on a train.

Answer 8

Because the Thatcher government sold off British rail.
it is now owned by lots of private companies.
You could use 'gumtree' to car share.

Answer 9

BECAUSE THEY ONLY HAVE ONE TRAIN