Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Minister, Jenny Randerson AM has called on rail companies to use 2010 to simplify fare structures and cut the costs of travelling for passengers.
She was speaking after First Great Western introduced new restrictions on its cheapest tickets for flexible travel, meaning many passengers travelling into London from South Wales could face up to 20% higher fares.
First Great Western has replaced its previous off peak ticket with a new fare at the same price but with more restrictions. These restrictions are now covered by a new fare, at a 20% higher rate
Jenny Randerson said: “I hope that the train companies use 2010 as an opportunity to simplify the fare structures so people can afford to travel at short notice, as well as with careful planning.
“Time was when you could just turn up at the station and get a ticket. These days it seems like you need to be willing to remortgage your house just to afford the ticket.
“I hope that 2010 sees the dawn of a brighter time for passengers and not just profits.”
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exactly, the whole idea for arriva trains and other operators is to make train travel less costly than car travel….also the cost is unbelievable, arriva trains are publicly funded.
To go 11 mile it cost £4.30 single, return is £4.70…surely a single should be half the price of a return.
To go by car it would cost me 22 miles about £4. In the car one can take more than one person for the same price.
I think some sort of government directive on prices would be useful, especially since arriva trains are in receipt of public subsidy.
Train prices should be less than car if we are to promote a greener method of transport in Wales.
As for buses in this weather they will cry off bad roads, another result of public subsidy
and no incentive to make a pound. Council will do nothing to encourage buses to run, just accept the operators opinion that roads are too icy.