http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=3D/news/2007/12/15/ntransport=
115.xml
Passengers to pay more for a worse service
By David Millward, Transport Editor
Last Updated: 8:56am GMT 15/12/2007
Leading rail operators have been accused of cashing in on Christmas by
charging passengers high fares despite long delays because of
engineering work.
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Thousands of people face diversions, being rerouted and even having to
complete their journey by bus.
Train cancellation signs, commuters to pay more for a worse service
Travel chaos is predicted over the festive season
Cheap tickets have been snapped up, so passengers booking late will
have to pay far dearer fares - some five times as much - even though
their trip will take far longer.
Passengers to northern England and Scotland will be worst hit,
especially in the run-up to Hogmanay.
There will be no services from King's Cross in London on the East
Coast Mainline from 7pm on Dec 22 until Dec 26.
Worse disruption is in store for those using Virgin Trains on the West
Coast Mainline. There will be no direct trains to and from Euston from
Dec 27 until New Year's Eve.
In Scotland, Glasgow Central station and the lines approaching it will
be shut from Boxing Day to Jan 2. Liverpool Street station in London
is closed for 10 days from Dec 23 to Jan 2, which will disrupt
journeys to Es. and East Anglia.
This has not stopped rail companies from selling expensive tickets.
Single rail ticket price comparisons
A passenger travelling from Euston to Glasgow Central on Dec 28 will
have to pay at least =A3100.20 for a trip taking six hours and 32
minutes a journey which, according to the Virgin Trains website,
includes a walk from Glasgow Queen Street to Glasgow Central Station.
A ticket for the same journey a month later - which will take only
four hours and 25 minutes - can be bought for =A318.50.
Anthony Smith, the chief executive of Passenger Focus, a consumer
watchdog, said: "Given demand, many people will be paying far more
than usual for a considerably poorer service."
Industry observers believe that some companies use sophisticated
software to cut the number of discounted tickets at times of high
demand. Proving this has been impossible, since companies regard this
information as confidential.
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Mr Smith said: "Train companies should publish what tickets they have
sold at what price. This would give passengers confidence that the
cheap tickets are really available."
Robert Samson, Passenger Focus's manager in Scotland, called for rail
companies to offer a discount. "It is not acceptable for passengers to
have to pay a full fare for a train journey which is in reality a bus
journey," he said.
Earlier this year the Government made clear that it was looking to
passengers to pay a larger share of the rail industry's costs over the
next five years. It said that fares, which paid about half the bill,
should pay 75 per cent in future.
Rail companies are also under pressure to make as much money as
possible while demand is high - even though passengers receive a worse
service than normal.
Cheap tickets are few and far between. Virgin West Coast admitted that
there were fewer discounted seats this year than there were 12 months
ago, partly due to engineering work.
"We have altered the way the quota works to push people towards the
quieter trains," a spokesman said. "Our cheapest value advance tickets
have been available on all days over the Christmas period."
National Express, which has taken over the East Coast franchise, said
it was offering as many discounted tickets as GNER, its predecessor,
did last Christmas.
A spokesman said that prices reflected demand. "If you don't need to
travel at that time, you are free to buy tickets for another time. The
bus trip is a small part of the journey."
Gerry Doherty, the general secretary of the TSSA rail union, said: "I
am not surprised that this is their Christmas contribution to
passengers travelling to visit family and friends over the festive
season.
"As for a happy new year, passengers have more of the same to look
forward to with fare rises of up to 14 per cent from Jan 2."
Engineering works
Liverpool Street Dec 23- Jan 2. Station closed while a bridge is
demolished and rebuilt
Euston Station Dec 27 - 28. Only service will be local trains to
Watford Junction
Glasgow Central Dec 26 - Jan 2. Station and some lines approaching it
closed due to extensive resignalling
East Coast Mainline 7pm Dec 22 - 26. Closed while a junction near
Stevenage is renewed
First Capital Connect 7pm Dec 22 - 26. Operating services from King's
Cross to Hatfield, then buses to Peterborough to link with National
Express East Coast services
West Coast Mainline Dec 22- 28. Closed Nuneaton to Stafford while
track is quadrupled on Trent Valley section. Services diverted through
Birmingham and the West Midlands
West Coast Mainline Dec 24 - 3am Dec 31. Closed between Coventry/Rugby
and Northampton to allow for completion of resignalling at Rugby
Virgin Dec 24 - 3am Dec 31. Trains to and from the north will start or
finish at either Coventry or Birmingham with a shuttle service from
Northampton to London, except on Dec 27 - 28 when there is no service
out of London Euston |