What On Earth Are Grayling And The Government Thinking?

[youngmafbog]

Big rail price hike and he legs it out of the country. Surely if this rise is justified then he should be here defending it. One has to assume his absence signals there is no real justification.

For once I am finding myself in near agreement with the TUC !!


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5228431/Grayling-leaves-anger-squeezed-rail-commuters.html

[emmie]

seems he is on business in Qatar, but he should be here explaining the rise in fares at least.

[hereIam]

The price hike is shocking, but people still have to pay it to get to work etc. and nothing will be done. It will rise again in a year or two also !!

[emmie]

they put the fares up most January's don't they??
this though seems a hike too far for many.

[ichkeria]

Lord Adonis knows the answer.

[emmie]

does he now...

[jno]

I don't have anything against ministers having business (or holidays) abroad, but he should surely have deputised some spokesperson in his absence? I suspect they simply weren't expecting protests; there haven't been many in previous years. But it sounds as if passengers' (sorry - "customers") patience has finally snapped.

I can't really argue against rises that are in line with inflation, though presumbly fares that aren't capped may be rising a lot faster.

[ichkeria]

He thinks Grayling should resign for allowing two to bale out of their contracts. Hard to disagree really. That has cost millions to the taxpayer/rail user

[jno]

yes, the bailout is cowardly; why should the public purse pay private operators to provide a service?

[cassa333]

Isn't something like 96 or 97 p in the £ used for the running costs and improvement she etc?

Other EU countries have much cheaper fares and IF there are no subsidies there it just goes to show either how expensive it is to actually run, maintain and improve an old rail system OR we are just so inefficient and wasteful.

I would be interested in having a bit more information on why a lot of EU countries have lower fares etc.

[Jahulaye]

13% of many’s annual salaries contributing to rail travel alone. They’re happy to take your money but are unhappy to deliver cheaper tickets, more seats and longer trains.

[gulliver1]

Oh come on you lot, what else did you expect from a Conservative Government ??????.