Hello there decent folk, today I am talking about the death of the railways, ok that's a rather sensationalist comment but I'm sticking to it. Yes, as you all have probably heard rail fares are to increase as of January 2014 by an average of 4.1% (climbing up to 9% in certain parts of the country). It's not the first year that the rail prices have increased above the rate of inflation and as a result Britain is the most expensive rail travel country in Europe now (overtaking Switzerland in the process which has a much higher average salary).
The government claims the rise is necessary as "running the railways is very expensive... the taxpayer is paying a lot and the passenger has to make his contribution" claims Patrick McLoughlin. We have yet to see where the money will go, the government says it will be invested and everyone else will say bonuses. The fact that train travel will have increased by 40% in six years this January is far too alarming, this is way above the rate of inflation and travel costs are quickly consuming larger parts of peoples income where they have little other alternative.
The once heralded British Rail, which was nationalized by Atlee's Labour government in 1947 was a bold attempt to bring travel to the masses. In a project that was built by the people for the people has long since died as the privatization of Britain's industries began at the command of Thatcher. It's a shame that everybody is becoming priced out of one of Britain's greatest ever inventions.
Sam
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