tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471329571766916686.post6055204353036027354..comments2024-03-29T03:11:39.045+00:00Comments on Turnip Rail: If You Want Low Fares, Grasp the Nettle - Criticising the Railway CriticsDavid Turnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01017077771376316618noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471329571766916686.post-19235401842480371742011-05-24T14:42:20.376+01:002011-05-24T14:42:20.376+01:00We only came across this when you posted on our Fa...We only came across this when you posted on our Facebook page recently. It is always useful to hear feedback on our campaigns.<br /><br />We are not industry insiders either, but have a long history of campaigning for more sustainable forms of transport - not just about railways, as it happens.<br /><br />Fares is a key issue at the moment, no doubt, especially given the decision to raise them by 3% above inflation from January 2012. It is an issue that passengers care about - and we want to help them have a voice.<br /><br />But fares is by no means the only rail issue that we work on. For example, we have engaged with the McNulty study team about all aspects of the railway, including structure, financing, local control, the role for rail freight, the need for a long term vision and leadership, and much more. This is the kind of behind-the-scenes work that we do all the time. The media, however, only ever selects a few soundbites - usually about fares - to report. <br /><br />And, it has to be said, the cost of rail travel remains an important one to passengers and to us at Campaign for Better Transport, and is an important route through which people often go on to take an interest in wider rail and sustainable transport issues.<br /><br />http://www.bettertransport.org.uk/campaigns/public_transport/railCampaign for Better Transporthttp://www.bettertransport.org.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6471329571766916686.post-65037791939761393352011-01-13T13:46:44.122+00:002011-01-13T13:46:44.122+00:00Quite right - we probably won't see any change...Quite right - we probably won't see any change in the fares issue until the fundamental issue of what franchising is for is properly addressed - I always find it amazing that Passenger Focus do not criticise the 'premium payments' regime underpinning franchising.<br /><br />I've had my own brush with PF in the past:<br />http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=30411193038<br />http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=33312313038K D Tennenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09233962626984386906noreply@blogger.com