Northern (Arriva Rail North)

[Sprinterdriver]

RE: Northern (Arriva Rail North)

(13/08/2017 14:06)Dentonian Wrote:  1. I'm not going that far by any means - but its certainly more equitable than the reverse scenario!

2. Doubtless you are taking from the viewpoint of a car owner,

3. All public transport connections are lousy and unpredictable, and equally people's travel needs vary so they are never going to work for everyone.

4. Not sure how the Rail Industry pays more in than the £5.6bn? annual subsidy it receives -

I'm hoping that this won't turn into a lengthy discussion, I simply don't have time for it or your anti rail diatribe.

But to answer your points:

1: It was announced today that rail users will see their fares rise by 3.5% in January, that should be across the board nationally, some ticket types are regulated so may see a smaller rise. Mind you with Metrolink GM succeed in making rail slower and more expensive!

2: Yes I am a car owner. Through necessity rather than luxury. I need to get to work either before bus or rail services start when on earlies and home after they finish when on lates. The TOC's don't run staff trains! This of course gives me a decision to make when public transport is available, although my local bus service is generally very good at getting to Liverpool City Centre, cross city link are poorer, for instance my nearest railway station is 1.5 miles away. It Doesn't have a car park, it's quicker to walk as there isn't a direct bus service, so I use it rarely. If I'm heading south on the train I usually go to Liverpool South Parkway, a 20 minute drive or at least a 45 minute bus journey, so guess what I do?

3: Point proven. Faster and cheaper to drive to a station, see above.

4: Please read what I wrote. I said the train operators pay more in premiums than they receive in subsidy, that is correct, something to the tune of £800 million. Network Rail receives a massive payment for the upkeep of the infrastructure, using your own logic that is investment rather than subsidy. While it is a massive figure, it doesn't make up for decades of under investment. We still have main lines in this country that are signalled using methods and equipment from the Victorian age. Trains do run on red diesel, they are not road vehicles, just like things like ships and farm machinery. While the amount of diesel consumed was set to reduce with increasing electrification, the Government have just decided otherwise by cancelling and scaling back various schemes. It looks to me like you are saying that everyone except the bus industry are to blame for the problems on the buses! As for rail's powerful political supporters, they are nothing compared to the road lobby I'm afraid!

SD.