More Train Fare Hikes Expected On Arriva, Stagecoach And Go-ahead

DON’T pollute the atmosphere by driving, they say. Come into London in your car and we’ll fine you, they warn us.

Yet when we do leave the car at home and take a train instead, we are hit by crowded carriages, stupid rules and ridiculously high fares which are about to get even higher.

With the beardy Richard Branson and his Virgin Trains losing out to Arriva in the bidding war to take over the Cross Country rail franchise, the humble commuter is set to take a hit, as the jubilant Arriva, along with Stagecoach and Go-ahead are planning to raise fares by 3 and 3.4 per cent.

The fare rises, which have been agreed with the Government, will affect the Cross-Country and East Midlands franchises as well as Go-Ahead’s London to Northampton route.

While fares such as season tickets are regulated by the Government, ‘unregulated fares’, which make up over half of the revenue for rail companies, will be affected by the price hikes.

Shadow Transport Secretary, Theresa Villiers, points her well-bred finger at the Government. Says she: “The Government must come clean and admit that it is responsible for these endless fare hikes, which are looking more and more like yet another form of stealth tax.”

And one, unbelievably, Gordon Brown didn’t think up first…

Anorak

Posted: 11th, July 2007 | In: Money Comment | Follow the Comments on our RSS feed: RSS 2.0 | TrackBack | Permalink