Tories to freeze rail fares

**Damien** · 10-04-2015, 08:05

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2...res-five-years

Quote:

More than 250,000 annual rail season-ticket holders could save an average of £400 over the next five years after David Cameron pledged that the Tories would freeze regulated fares in real terms.

In a consumer-friendly announcement designed to boost Tory fortunes amid flagging poll ratings, the prime minister will say on Friday that regulated rail fares would only be able to rise in line with the retail price index (RPI).

Isn't this intervening in the market though

denphone · 10-04-2015, 08:14

Especially when they constantly say "We won't interfere in the free market".

**Damien** · 10-04-2015, 08:21

Still a good idea however. Although I would rather they get to the roots of the problem with is the ridiculous franchising system we have in this country. Privatisation in a industry where you cannot have real competition? What's the point? They're just temporary monopolies.

denphone · 10-04-2015, 08:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

Still a good idea however. Although I would rather they get to the roots of the problem with is the ridiculous franchising system we have in this country. Privatisation in a industry where you cannot have real competition? What's the point? They're just temporary monopolies.

That's the big problem though as Privatisation has simply not worked in the interests for the vast majority of commuters and l can't see that changing sadly.

**Chris** · 10-04-2015, 09:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2...res-five-years

Isn't this intervening in the market though

It's already a regulated market. In post-privatisation UK, regulation of prices is common in areas where there is no competition. Season tickets for use on a single private operator's rail service are a classic example of this. Water bills are another.

---------- Post added at 10:32 ---------- Previous post was at 10:28 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone

That's the big problem though as Privatisation has simply not worked in the interests for the vast majority of commuters and l can't see that changing sadly.

Really? 20 years ago I could just about justify the cost of using the train for a long journey by using a YP railcard. Now, thanks to the initiative of private companies which are required to innovate in order to make a profit, it's a no-brainer. I can get a return trip for less than the petrol cost of half the journey, even though my railcard days are long gone.

Osem · 10-04-2015, 09:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone

Especially when they constantly say "We won't interfere in the free market".

We don't have a free market. The railways are still state subsidised to an extent and they're a hell of a lot better now than they were when I was commuting regularly on ancient rolling stock. It was the persistent lack of investment by various govts. during the bad old days which stored up so many of the problems we've subsequently faced.

I think a dose of pre-privatisation 'service' from the likes of BR, the various utilities, GPO etc. would remind people just how bad things were in the days when there was no competition and we were at the mercy of heavily unionised organisations with a vested interest in perpetuating archaic working practices.

**Chris** · 10-04-2015, 09:46

The British railway network is owned and maintained by an arms-length, state-owned company (Network Rail). All its essential services are determined by a state regulator. Those services are operated by private companies who are chosen by the department of transport, for a limited time, when they are then re-franchised.

The only part of the national rail network that is actually owned by the private sector is the rolling stock.

richard s · 10-04-2015, 11:39

Pay all that money and still cant get a seat! a big improvement.

Ignitionnet · 11-04-2015, 13:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2...res-five-years

Isn't this intervening in the market though

Good to see them saying they're considering intervening to keep prices down. A pleasant contrast to their housing policy.

Obviously though it's pap; taxpayers will pick up the bill to subsidise this just as we do their various other vote-winning scams.

**Maggy** · 11-04-2015, 15:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ignitionnet

Good to see them saying they're considering intervening to keep prices down. A pleasant contrast to their housing policy.

Obviously though it's pap; taxpayers will pick up the bill to subsidise this just as we do their various other vote-winning scams.

I thought this was the accusation that gets leveled at Labour most of the time.

Osem · 11-04-2015, 16:00

Some politicians are worse than others. I just wish they'd stop handing out bribes and do what's best for UK PLC but there are far too many people who vote purely in their own interests for that to be anything other than political suicide.

Ramrod · 11-04-2015, 17:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy J

I thought this was the accusation that gets leveled at Labour most of the time.

Exactly! I'm now waiting for Arthur to slag this policy off.

Hom3r · 12-04-2015, 10:48

They should freeze MP wages & abolish MPs expenses (except travel and food to london)

**Hugh** · 12-04-2015, 12:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hom3r

They should freeze MP wages & abolish MPs expenses (except travel and food to london)

But if I am working away for my job, accommodation expenses are paid - shouldn't that be the same for MPs with constituencies outside London?

Hom3r · 12-04-2015, 18:01

Ok but it shouldn't be 5* hotels, a simple B&B style hotel should be enough.

MPs take us all for a ride on their expenses (and I've had to redact information on them).

I mean claiming 19p for a bath plug, it should have been rejected FFS.