News
Fares to rise by an average of six per cent
by Katie Silvester
Higher than expected inflation this year will see rail fares rise steeply
next year.
Inflation levels of 3.2 per cent for July have been revealed by the government, meaning that regulated fares rise by up to 6.2 per cent next year. January fare rises are based on the previous July’s inflation (RPI) figure, plus three per cent. Thousands of London-bound commuters will now see their season tickets break the £5,000 a year barrier. Sharon Grant, chair of London TravelWatch said: ‘Under the existing arrangements, many train services are already registering some of the lowest value for money scores in surveys of the travelling public. ‘Further increases in January will only exacerbate this, especially as Londoners already pay a higher contribution towards the running of rail services than other areas.’ Atoc, meanwhile, was keen to get across the message that the decision on fare rises is made by the government, not by train operators. Michael Roberts, CEO of Atoc said:
‘The government decides the average increase of commuter ticket prices and other regulated fares which train companies will be required to introduce in January 2013.
‘It has been government policy during the past eight years for passengers to pay a larger share of the cost of operating the railways and to focus taxpayers’ money on investing in longer term improvements to the network. ‘Any flexibility train companies have within the rules is to maximise revenue for the government.’
The fare rises will be felt particularly keenly in the south east of England, where fares are the highest in the country.
Bryan Sweetland, cabinet member for environment, highways & waste for Kent County Council, said: ‘We recognise that the government has decided to raise rail fares by the level of inflation plus three per cent, and that this is not a decision taken by the rail operator, Southeastern. ‘However, we are concerned at the serious impact this will have on families in Kent, at a time when household budgets are very tight.’
Thorpe Bay is ‘station of the future’ by Peter Brown
A new approach to customer relations has been unveiled by C2C at Thorpe Bay, on the Shoeburyness to London Fenchurch Street route, where, among other innovations, staff are no longer protected by a screen.
Managing director Julian Drury said this move was among other suggestions that have been implemented following surveys by passengers who revealed they would feel safer without obstacles such as full-length screens between them and ticket office staff in what is being described as the ‘smart station’ concept. He said: ‘This is the station of the future, based on research among passengers. They were the ones who wanted an open counter. It is a new concept for the rail industry that breaks down the barriers between customers and staff. ‘It also gives passengers more freedom to serve themselves while retaining the traditional booking office option for those who wish to use it. This station has more customer information, more ticket machines and is ready for smart ticketing.’
MP for Rochford and Southend East, James Duddridge, described it as being ‘gorgeous, airy, light and bright’ when he opened the revamped station on Wednesday 18 July. Also at the ceremony was 81-year-old Jim Snelling, who worked at the station in 1946.
As part of a £250,000 refit by
Network Rail’s LNW property works team, the platform and station entrance canopies have been completely re-glazed as has the Platform 2 canopy support wall. The steel and timber superstructure has been repaired or replaced, along with the all guttering and downpipes.
Revamped station rooted
in the past A revamped railway station has remained true to its roots as a miniature version of a nearby hotel.
Grange-over-Sands station, which serves the bustling Cumbria seaside resort, was built in 1867 and designed to be a scaled-down version of the Grange Hotel, just across the road. It has ornate Victorian canopies at the front of the building and above both platforms.
Andy Morgan, Network Rail’s route asset manager for buildings said: ‘This is a fine old station that has remained largely unchanged for nearly 150 years, and we have tried to be sympathetic to the original design when carrying out renovations.’
SEPTEMBER 2012 PAGE 5
Network Rail
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