This is ridiculous and unfortunately typical of rip-off Britain.
It's taking Ken Livingtone's original idea, which has proven quite successful and passed it through some wierd, looking glass world.
This is a feeble excuse for not improving public transport which is already the most expensive in Europe. The commuter trains out of London are filthy and unreliable and seem to have got worse under privatisation. Nevertheless, they should be encouraging more people to take them, and try and improve service, not simply rip people off!!
The article does also contain some interesting information - London's population to increase by 10%!!!
http//www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/topstories/display.var.607593.0.ccharge_for_peak_rail_travel.php
Another reason this Londoner's not going "home home"... just returning to blighty.
are filthy and unreliable and seem to have got worse under privatisation.
Like any service or industry, they all get worse under privatisation.
They should resocialize the whole lot. The government has to prop it up every year anyway. If the government is really serious about green initiatives, cheap, clean and efficient public transport is right in line with that.
They should resocialize the whole lot.
Let's call it "deprivatise" if we want it to stand half a chance! :)
I can totally understand the logic of the charges on the roads -- it gets people to use public transportation. But to then stick an extra charge on public transportation is just plain perverse. I suppose it is an attempt to encourage companies to offer flexibility in their hours so that it spreads the rush hours out. Problem is that for some industries, a disproportionately large number of which are in London (law, finance, etc.), the hours are often dictated by outside forces beyond the control of the companies, so you just end up screwing the commuters.
They should resocialize the whole lot.
Let's call it "deprivatise" if we want it to stand half a chance! :)
Too true!
Problem is that for some industries, a disproportionately large number of which are in London (law, finance, etc.), the hours are often dictated by outside forces beyond the control of the companies, so you just end up screwing the commuters.
When has screwing London commuters ever been a problem? I was under the impression it was a time honored tradition.
The Swiss rail system, which with the exception of some mountain railways is completely state owned, is the best rail system in the world. Well, at least in Europe and the US, cos that's all I have experienced.
The French system is good too, although it does cost the state a ton of money.
But the Belgian and Dutch systems are fine too.
The British system has always had problems, nationalised or not. The underinvestment started with British Rail. Believe me, their "Network Southeast" trains were truly horrible. But handing over what was in effect a series of private monopolies to the dreadful companies who run them now certainly wasn't the solution.
The system here in Canada, VIA Rail isn't bad, although like the U.S they mostly use diesel trains. It's not very comprehensive either. Still, we can get a fast train from here in Toronto to Montreal that takes four hours, whereas you'd normally drive it in six and the trains are spotless.
Our commuter system's not bad either, but again, not very comprehensive or frequent outside rush hour.
I wish the US had heard of fast passenger trains. The journey from Holland to Chicago takes 4 hours. That same stretch in a car would take half the time - or maybe 3 if you hit traffic. And even today, we get change out of $40 to fill the tank for that journey. Rail wants $50 each if I recall. So two people pay almost 3 times as much to get there twice as slow. No wonder they are only ever used as a quaint alternative.
What.....Holland as in Netherlands? I know geezer, just teasing :D When next are you going back home, and are you going to step a foot in walthamstow?
I wish the US had heard of fast passenger trains. The journey from Holland to Chicago takes 4 hours. That same stretch in a car would take half the time - or maybe 3 if you hit traffic. And even today, we get change out of $40 to fill the tank for that journey. Rail wants $50 each if I recall. So two people pay almost 3 times as much to get there twice as slow. No wonder they are only ever used as a quaint alternative.
On the rail transport front, Sweden seems to be moving in the right direction, with the launch of the first biogas train
http//news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4112926.stm
I really like the Amtrak trains here....especially the double decker ones....loads of space on them, leg room and all. The journey from Springfield to Chicago takes a little longer than it would by car but it's more relaxing by far to just mellow on the train with a book.
I've always hated travelling by train in Britain Expensive, crap service with delays and the train just stopping in the middle of nowhere with no explanations.....noisy, rattly, cramped. Probably the worst trains I've been in on my travels.
The trip of NYC to DC is alright on the train, I used to get really pissed up on that one, any other train trips are pants.
Its a bit crap to charge a congestion fee, why don't they make longer or fatter trains to accommodate the extra passengers?
Even trains in eastern europe, are better than the rail service in the UK. Some of my best train journeys, have been from Wien to Prague, Bratislava, Budapest, et al
I really like the Amtrak trains here....especially the double decker ones....loads of space on them, leg room and all. The journey from Springfield to Chicago takes a little longer than it would by car but it's more relaxing by far to just mellow on the train with a book.
I've always hated travelling by train in Britain: Expensive, crap service with delays and the train just stopping in the middle of nowhere with no explanations.....noisy, rattly, cramped. Probably the worst trains I've been in on my travels.
Another reason this Londoner's not going "home home"... just returning to blighty.
I've mixed feelings. I'm going back to the most expensive city in Europe London (apparently new york is ranked 13 most expensive worldwide) next year.
However, things you can do to keep the costs down..
Cycle/Walk everywhere...
Pack your own lunch. :wink:
Buy a season ticket for QPR (across the road from my flat) rather than fancy dan premiership teams... :D
Shop at ASDA :)
Never buy a round of drinks :-?
London's pricey for a reason. You get what you pay for. Apparently Asuncion Paraguay is the cheapest city to live in (according to the same survey). Anyone been there?