WelshBluebird
Established Member
- Joined
- 14 Jan 2010
- Messages
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But it is possible, of course, that even if their main motivation is to do that (and I think it is a motivation, but I think it isn't the only one; most businesses do want to extract maximum profit from their customers, but it also isn't in their interest to scare them all off) there are positive outcomes for the passenger too.
I don't see any positive outcome of handing all the control of fares over to the RDG and ToC's (which is what it sounds like they want), especially considering what they are suggesting.
As for scarring off passengers - considering a large number of rail travel is essentially a captive market, there isn't a huge risk there imo. It very much is put up with it because you have no other realistic choice.
Well like I say, I haven't read it yet although on face value for me it does seem like a challenge to the current system, even if that's currently being driven by the TOCs. Are there definitely seem to be varying opinions on what they are proposing, depending on whom is commenting on the subject which feels like this is going provoke debate and further challenges.
As I said, there is a difference between challenging the existing broken system, and wanting to remove all regulations which protect the consumer, whilst at the same time suggesting changes that will drive prices up for a large number of passengers, and add restrictions to other passengers where none existed before.
Its nto omandatory though
Not at the moment, but the post I was replying to implied that it could be in the future (or at least that is how I read it).
It's one reason why I'm so much in favour of single fare pricing.
The problem with that is what we will see is single fares staying at the level they are at and returns removed.
Anyone wanting a return would see pretty much a doubling in their fare (as currently many singles are only a little cheaper than the returns).
However for the most part airlines have a captive market, trains do not. Most passengers do have a choice, price them out and watch the passenger numbers fall off a cliff, in particular services used more by leisure passengers. TOCs will be aware of this, despite what many people believe. And if they don't, then they will go the way the airline companies that ignored the changing face of passenger demand.
It very much depends on which market you are looking at. Leisure travel, yeah I'd agree with you (apart from travel into London). But commuters? There is a reason people put up with higher than inflation and higher than wage increases price rises. And that isn't because they enjoy it.
The Monday-Friday 9-5 full time office job has changed
That really isn't changing as much or as quickly as some people like to think.
Sure a lot of places offer more flexible working now, but usually that still means having to be in the office during core hours (often 10-4) and then either starting early or starting late.
The new system will not be designed by RDG or the TOCs - that is essentially government's role. I know this is really hard for the conspiracy theorists to grasp, but the point of the report is to say that change is necessary; that many of government's own obectives in relation to modernising ticketing can only be achieved with parallel fares reform; and that this change can be done in a financially sustainable way for the government and passengers.
It does not ask for the fares system to be handed over to TOCs to revise, and under the current industry structure, RDG plays no role in either setting contracts or fares policy - it just 'turns the handle' on industry systems. It is in 'turning the handle' that RDG has unique insights into how the whole system is working (or not, as the case may be), which is why it has produced the report, which is for government to act on, bearing in mind that they have responsibility (both financial and economic as well as to voters) for the rail system.
Errr but hasn't the RDG just literally set out some proposals of what it wants to see?
And have you not seen how much power the RDG has in terms of removing valid routes etc (seriously, have a look at the RG updates thread, there is no way all those changes are actually getting the proper oversight they need).
If you think the RDG or the ToC's will not have a hand in any new system, then you are being VERY naive.
They have literally asked for regulations to be removed. What do you think private companies will do if that happens?
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