Scottish rail services?

Question

I read in the paper today that as from january the prices of tickets to travel on first scotrail is going up by 12% . at the momment its cheaper for me to drive my gas guzzler 200 miles than take the train but i ts less hassle to take the train . how can this 12% price rise be right . the government want more people to use public transport but just seem to make a right mess of trying to get people to use it . surley more people would use it if it were cheaper ?

Answer 1

First Scotrail fares will rise by 4.3% not 12% and this is mainly on "walk on" fares. This is lower than some other train companies.
Get this into perspective. If your fare is now £100 you will pay £104.30 in January.

Advance fares will not rise by the same amount, if anything.

In most car parks you would pay £4.30 for a couple of hours, then add on your fuel in your gas guzzler, time spent in your traffic jam etc

I know what I'd rather do

Answer 2

As someone else has already said, this is also happening in England. At least, the devolved Scottish Parliament is showing a more enlightened attitude towards rail travel, with re openings such as Bathgate-Airdrie, and part of the Waverley Route and some new build such as the Glasgow Airport proposal. Here in England the Government have stopped investment in light rail schemes and are also turning at least one railway line (St. Ives - Cambridge) into a guided busway at phenomenal cost. Part of the problem of more people using is the fact that privatisation (like or love the companies such as First) has led to a fantastic increase in passengers and the system can't cope. We are already beginning to feel the stupidity of the Beeching cuts, particularly where they led to 'rationalisation' and cutting some double track to single, or quadruple to double only. Examples of this are the ex-LSWR Exeter line which urgently needs to be doubled once again to cope with the traffic, and the money spent on doing exactly that to the Chiltern line north of Princes Risborough. Already Virgin are saying that the WCML Penolinos need an extra carriage to cope with demand (which will have to be paid for by the passengers!)

I agree that the Government's policy is crackers, though. It wants us all to be 'greener' but makes it impossible. I need to use the car to get the 18 miles to my nearest railhead - where is costs £5 a day to park!

Answer 3

Under the Scotland Act, the control of public transport in Scotland is a devolved matter, and, hence, the Scottish Executive could intervene and increase the franchise subsidy to First Group plc to keep down the fares.

To be fair to the Executive , they are investing heavily in improving public transport services through the Bus Rural Development Grant, the various Kickstart projects and the National Concessionary Travel Scheme.

Unless you want the Executive to use their taxation powers, the money pot is limited and they cannot fund everything.

You will, of course, be able to have your voice heard next May when we elect a new Scottish Parliament.

Answer 4

Blame Wirst, sorry I meant First, Group - they are unscrupulous money grabbing sharks. They've screwed Great Western and now it's your turn.

Answer 5

This is happening in England also