So it looks like HS2 is going ahead.
As a rail worker I can tell you what the network needs and it isn't HS2. This only deals with one area of the UK network and it doesn't address the issue of cash-strapped motorists returning to the railways in droves throughout the whole country. Our trains are now often full to capacity.
It's more carriages and longer stations - throughout the country - that we really need.
We also need to get a grip on metal thefts. The costs and disruptions these are causing to the network is devastating.
(Message for Pips: I have been unable to get on your blog and communicate for weeks now. It says it's open to 'invited readers only'. I hope all is OK. I have done nothing to alter my own communications so I presume there must be a technical problem between the two. Could you check all your settings please ?)
13 comments:
Um, how do you get cash strapped motorists are returning to the railways? Rail travel costs much more than travel by car. A friend was making the point to me the other day - he has kids in Manchester (and lives down South). To go to Manchester and back on the train costs £60. To drive costs less than £60 worth of fuel, and he can bring his kids back with him to visit too. If he did 2 kids plus him on the train it would be £120+, plus that wouldn't get him door to door, and there would be extra costs - parking, bus/taxi fares. And the utter inconvenience of public transport.
So how you think its cheaper by rail escapes me.
£15 to take the car to Exeter (£10 parking.)
£3.90 to take the train (return). Door-to-door in my case.
This from National Rail Enquiries.
There are also good internet deals to be had and group saver discounts.
This clearly explains to me why our trains are often full and standing and why ticket collectors can't always get through to sell tickets.
One word of advice to any traveller though:
plan ahead if you can - turn-up-and-go can be highly expensive and I think this is where a lot of anecdotes like your friend's stem from. There are other problems which need sorting out too.
Jim, this whole "which is better/cheaper car or rail" debate is completely futile as it all depends on
- where your journey starts and ends (if there is no station at either end, rule out rail)
- whether there is parking at the other end (if no, then car impractical)
- how many are travelling and/or how much you need to take with you. If four travelling with luggage, then car almost certainly better. If one person, more likely rail.
- whether you actually have a car, and if long distance, whether you can be arsed to drive for twenty hours with overnight break (so rail is only choice)
- if you are one commuter going into town with a season ticket, then almost certainly train is better/cheaper than car (once you include parking charges). if you work out of town with good/free parking, then clearly car is better.
- and so on.
The car-v-rail debate is about as pointless as asking "What's better - the new Bob Dylan album or a new golf club?"
Interesting post. Do rail insiders generally see HS2 this way?
Mark - Thanks
AK - Some see it as good and others not. The Rail News magazine is full of beans about it.
We need more carriages, longer platforms and a better fares structure. There also needs to be better security against metal thefts.
But all those things are boring - so don't expect the Big Boys to get distracted from obtaining their shiny new train set.
There's talk of a ban on cash transactions for scrap-metal dealers - this should reduce the metal thefts.
My company has had to spend 1000s on extra security to thwart the metal thieves.
With railways, it's not just the cost of replacing stolen metal, but the disruption & safety-related aspects. These thieves are without the slightest morals and the crime should be treated very severely.
Ed - Agreed
Back when I was an analyst copper & lead theft were fooking mental and that was 5 years ago. It's almost unenforceable but a step in the right direction. Loads of churches can't get insurance these days. It's the dealers who are nicking it.
Anywho, back on topic - err...it does seem a bit daft this whole HS2 bollox. How many people are really in so much of a rush that a train loses its 'faster than most other forms' label? Also, communting is changing and to look 30 years down the line with mobile working still in its infancy seems bloody minded. The plans for Euston seem realistic and it kinda seems that they're pegging the rest of it on as show boating.
Who on earth races to Birmingham? A wanker, that's who, an abolute twat. Some people do some fucking epic commutes though but it's cost not time. I dunno - just seems a bit flawed frankly. I live just near Tunnel End at the foot of the Pennines and there's a disused tunnel that goes straight through to Marple near Glossop in the Derbyshire Dales. IT'S FUCKING HUGE and Beeching shut it down; built late 1880's max, must be 10 miles long, God alone knows how many poor bastards died in winter building the bugger but it's in wonderful nick and yet dormant - no point to make but just that who's in so much of a rush?
There seems to be a lot of money earmarked for it so....
Totally agree on the HS2 thing, E-K. Bitish Rail does not need HS2 at all. Silly idea.
HS2...that's Bird Flu, right ??
HNY to you and your family and your splendid readership, E-K. Apologies for my absence of late; pursuing other literary interests.
I'll make a supreme affort to keep in blog-touch regularly again though. You were always one of my favourite reads...
Dick - A very informative comment. It's madness is it not ?
I think the whole project is a trophy project. They think it will generate jobs with lots of gangs with picks and shovels but the reality is entirely different.
This will be built with modern diggers and track laying machinery built in Sweden and each manned by two guys.
As a capital project it's not even going to to much to get unemployment down.
Fingers - Delighted to see you, Buddy.
That's praise indeed from a blogger such as yourself. My humour has blunted in your absence and I need you back.
HNY to you too.
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