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UK HAS MOST EXPENSIVE RAIL FARES IN EUROPE - LIB DEMS
January 23, 2008 1:07 PM
New figures revealed by the Liberal Democrats show that rail travel in the United Kingdom is the most expensive in Europe.
The figures show that, on average, £10 will buy a ticket for 27 miles of train travel in the UK, compared with nearly 55 miles in France. Six years ago, passengers in the UK could travel 55 miles for £10 too, proving that there has been a hike in train fares in recent years.
Despite the fact that our rail travel is already the most expensive in Europe, the train operating companies are introducing above-inflation price hikes, with one of the highest being introduced by the operator of the East Coast main line.
Liberal Democrat MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, Willie Rennie, has reacted angrily to the figures. He said:
"Ever more increasing rail fares are negating any efforts the Government is making to encourage travellers to choose the more environmentally-friendly ways of travelling, such as rail travel. It stands to reason that people will think twice about taking the train when it is so expensive. Just how long does this situation have to continue until the Government realises this?"
The Liberal Democrats have raised concerns with Ministers over the cost of train travel and the over-complicated pricing system for rail tickets.
He continued:
"Walk-on train fares are particularly expensive, and yet those who plan ahead and book online or over the phone are left battling with a system that is so complex it frequently baffles rail employees.
"If you buy separate tickets for individual legs of a journey, it can often be significantly cheaper than if you simply put in your departure station and destination station, despite the fact that you will be travelling on exactly the same trains. This is utter madness. The Government must re-think its entire approach to our railways."
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