Jeremy Corbyn's Traingate

[thewiltog]

From the Guardian

Corbyn joins seatless commuters on floor for three-hour train journey

Labour leader is filmed during trip from London to Newcastle, on his way to meet Owen Smith for leadership hustings.

Jeremy Corbyn, famed for standing up for his principles, sat down for them last week, along with 20 other seatless commuters on a three-hour train journey from London to Newcastle.

From his spot on the floor, which he chose rather than upgrading to first class, Corbyn turns to the camera and says: “This is a problem that many passengers face every day, commuters and long-distance travellers. Today this train is completely ram-packed. The staff are absolutely brilliant, working really hard to help everybody.

“The reality is there are not enough trains, we need more of them – and they’re also incredibly expensive.” He said the whole experience was a good case for public ownership....

Not that many commuters on the train, I imagine.
I wonder why he didn't book in advance?

 

[backontrack]

I didn't know he read the Eye!

 

[Master29]

Yes , shame on him for not reserving a seat. Maybe he should've done a George Osborne and plonked himself in first class. You can imagine Murdoch's rags having a field day with that one.

 

[richw]

I have my doubts whether he would make a good PM, but what I like about him is he is down to earth and quite happy to mingle with the public. At the Remembrance Day parade last year he stayed to talk and socialise to veterans and the public rather than go with all the other MPs and VIPs to a posh function.
As a person he is certainly very likeable, as a potential PM have my doubts.

He's also been known to stand on the bus as well.

 

[backontrack]

I have my doubts whether he would make a good PM, but what I like about him is he is down to earth and quite happy to mingle with the public. At the Remembrance Day parade last year he stayed to talk and socialise to veterans and the public rather than go with all the other MPs and VIPs to a posh function.
As a person he is certainly very likeable, as a potential PM have my doubts.

He's also been known to stand on the bus as well.

I agree with this statement.

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

It was on a VTEC service from London to Newcastle.

 

[route:oxford]

It was on a VTEC service from London to Newcastle.

When though? Sunday?

 

[6Gman]

So Corbyn wants more trains and lower fares.

Lovely.

Funded by ... ?

 

[AlterEgo]

"Corbyn in show of solidarity with Sinn Féin terror chums by refusing to take seat"

 

[Starmill]

So Corbyn wants more trains and lower fares.

Lovely.

Funded by ... ?

It's entirely possible for more trains to be self-funding.

 

[ScotGG]

So Corbyn wants more trains and lower fares.

Lovely.

Funded by ... ?

Taxation?

I'm no fan of his but your question taken to its logical conclusion would see 90% of trains axed and screw the wider economic and social impact.

 

[ComUtoR]

It's entirely possible for more trains to be self-funding.

I'll bite. How ?

Public ownership surely means its funded by the taxpayer and private ownership means the cost is funded through the ticket price.

 

[Wivenswold]

Having worked on the privatisation of our railway and having been involved subsequently with a couple of legal cases on the privatised network I can confidently say that public ownership would immediately free-up funds which currently go in the pockets of consultants, lawyers and the huge number of directors on private sector salaries.

TOCs don't do it because they care about public transport. It's a good earner with very little risk (See how Metronet's backers walked away to pick up new contracts on Government projects like London 2012 within weeks).

If you think that private ownership means no expense to the taxpayer, I recommend you do some reading on the history of the subject since the 1990's. It's simply not true.

And Corbyn? Yep, I'd vote for him in an election. I don't want style, I want substance.

 

[3141]

Well, on the East Coast main line there are going to be longer trains on a few years' time.

As for more trains, that would depend on track capacity improvements. Some have been done, some are planned, and I wonder if Jeremy Corbyn is aware of some of the more difficult situations, like the Newark flat crossing and Welwyn North.

 

[highdyke]

Corbyn just wants a old-fashioned monopoly. Monopolies are just bad. They only suit those scared of the competition and the real world, and those wishing to exercise power over everyone else.

 

[Harbornite]

I have my doubts whether he would make a good PM, but what I like about him is he is down to earth and quite happy to mingle with the public. At the Remembrance Day parade last year he stayed to talk and socialise to veterans and the public rather than go with all the other MPs and VIPs to a posh function.
As a person he is certainly very likeable, as a potential PM have my doubts.

.

Agreed. Crap leader, nice chap and I wasn't bothered that he didn't sing the national anthem. Why should we all be unwillingly supportive of the monarchy?

 

[Starmill]

I'll bite. How ?

Public ownership surely means its funded by the taxpayer and private ownership means the cost is funded through the ticket price.

It's a bit of a simplification. What you're looking for is an opportunity to make marginal revenue. If existing trains are full then that suggests that a marginal train will generate more revenue because more people will buy tickets. We have a mechanism for this under privatisation. We could have a more direct mechanism for it under nationalisation, although I'm not advocating that as an appropriate solution. I'm merely advocating lower fares, more capacity and more passengers.

 

[NoMorePacers]

Corbyn just wants a old-fashion monopoly. Monopolies are just bad. They only suit those scared of the competition and the real world, and those wishing to exercise power over everyone else.

Dangerous Tory thinking that. People who think that often become members of certain organisations that I won't mention.

 

[Harbornite]

Dangerous Tory thinking that. People who think that often become members of certain organisations that I won't mention.

What's wrong with wanting competition?

 

[NoMorePacers]

What's wrong with wanting competition?

Again, dangerous thinking. Lands many people as members of certain organisations in certain parts of the world I won't mention.

 

[Master29]

Having worked on the privatisation of our railway and having been involved subsequently with a couple of legal cases on the privatised network I can confidently say that public ownership would immediately free-up funds which currently go in the pockets of consultants, lawyers and the huge number of directors on private sector salaries.

TOCs don't do it because they care about public transport. It's a good earner with very little risk (See how Metronet's backers walked away to pick up new contracts on Government projects like London 2012 within weeks).

If you think that private ownership means no expense to the taxpayer, I recommend you do some reading on the history of the subject since the 1990's. It's simply not true.

And Corbyn? Yep, I'd vote for him in an election. I don't want style, I want substance.

Superb reply. My only issue would be that TOC`s caring about public transport bit. They probably don`t give a rats arsenal but as you say see it as a nice little earn
er.

 

[Starmill]

What's wrong with wanting competition?

On-rail competition undermines the competitive tendering process, which is designed to get the most output at lowest cost.

 

[DarloRich]

I am no fan of Corbyn ( and think he has no chance of winning a general election) but good for him slumming it with the proles. A few more politicians should do the same.

 

[westv]

Hopefully in a few years it'll be "Jeremy who?".

 

[Master29]

Hopefully in a few years it'll be "Jeremy who?".

Why??

 

[ComUtoR]

It's a bit of a simplification. What you're looking for is an opportunity to make marginal revenue. If existing trains are full then that suggests that a marginal train will generate more revenue because more people will buy tickets. We have a mechanism for this under privatisation. We could have a more direct mechanism for it under nationalisation, although I'm not advocating that as an appropriate solution. I'm merely advocating lower fares, more capacity and more passengers.

So how is that "self funding" Someone has to pay for the services. Does the railway have another source of income outside ticketing ?

 

[jon0844]

Hopefully in a few years it'll be "Jeremy who?".

A lot of people are already saying that now aren't they?

 

[highdyke]

Dangerous Tory thinking that. People who think that often become members of certain organisations that I won't mention.

Everything you have is thanks to invention, innovation and trade, not socialism. It's a failed system. Competition is good for consumers, the most important people, based on wants and needs. Couldn't care less if the companies are owned by the state, are mutuals or private companies.

 

[Harbornite]

Everything you have is thanks to invention, innovation and trade, not socialism. It's a failed system. Competition is good for consumers, the most important people, based on wants and needs. Couldn't care less if the companies are owned by the state, are mutuals or private companies.

Indeed, although some would argue that the customer hasn't benefited on the railways due to high ticket prices. Nevertheless. this is not a good argument against competition.

This reminds me, there's a thread about renationalisation and whether or not it should happen with the railways. Perhaps that threat should be revived?

 

[matt_world2004]

I'll bite. How ?

Public ownership surely means its funded by the taxpayer and private ownership means the cost is funded through the ticket price.

Like London Underground is publically owned and funded through ticket sales. Or many of Europes railways Public ownership doesnt mean its funded by taxes,

 

[Clip]

More trains sounds great but if everyone still wants to travel at 1500 on a friday afternoon say then how are more trains going to stop that from happenning?