Northern (Arriva Rail North)

[Sprinterdriver]

RE: Northern (Arriva Rail North)

(16/08/2017 19:58)Dentonian Wrote:  I'll try to be equally as brief:
1. Fully aware that Rail passengers have been given 20 weeks notice of an average 3.5% fare increase - as I am of its condemnation by the Unions, Media and most politicians. GM Bus users had a 7.5% increase with much less than 2 weeks notice back in April. A bit of an outcry about First's rises in the MEN (but not about Stagecoach's!), not a dicky bird from local BBC/Granada or lobbyists or Unite.

2. 1.5 miles is exactly the average for home to rail head, so my point is made.

4. Do you mean they pay £800 million total or £800m more than the estimated £5.6 billion subsidy. More importantly, are you saying that is going back to the Treasury, or to Network Rail?
I have never said that the bus industry aren't to blame, themselves. The only people who are blameless for the problems in he bus "industry" are the law abiding, loyal (usually car-less) adult bus passengers, who have seen fares increase 10 fold (singles in GM) in 31 years (RPI has gone up c.170% in the same period); constant service cuts and punctuality/running times deteriorating at a faster (!) rate than ever.
As regards lobbyists; The Media are absolutely besotted by Rail. The "oh so impartial" BBC are the worst of the lot, forever playing the "poor, long suffering rail commuter" card whilst blaming buses for all urban pollution - despite the fact that 9 out of the top 10 most polluted road sections in GM have 4 or less buses an hour on them! Richard Westcott made it perfectly clear that he thinks Tax-payers should continue to pay more than 36% of the cost of each ticket.
I suspect there is someone on this forum who will disagree, but don't think the "Road" lobby has any time for bus users. They spread lies about TIF in 2008 and their members are constantly, illegally delaying the progress of buses and removing the confidence of physically disabled people to use buses.

The premium payments go to the Government.

SD.