A lot of people think this is a joke.
You don’t need us to tell you that times are tough at the moment, and money is extremely tight. With Christmas only a few weeks away, most of us are pretty skint following the Festive outlay. January in particular will be a stretch.
That’s why news that train fares in Britain will go up by an average of 2.3% following New Year’s Day is particularly galling. What’s more, unregulated fares – such as off-peak leisure tickets – can go up by as much as the train companies like.
Many are furious at the price hike, which the Rail Delivery Group claim is to ‘simplify fares’ and ‘improve services’. Trains are regularly late or cancelled, and often commuters can’t find a seat. General standards of rail service seem to be deteriorating.
Despite that, we are asked to pay ever more for the privilege of rail travel – something that is a necessity for many. As you can see below, the general feeling is one of anger and dismay. People are being told to pay more for a worsening service.
https://twitter.com/bagsmell123/status/804598720985759744
Rail companies really know how to piss people off!
— Pierre Beaumont (@PeteBeaumont1) December 2, 2016
Rail fares in this country are nowt more than legalised robbery.
— Dan (@mufc_dan87) December 2, 2016
https://twitter.com/RidDomTrader/status/804599713441910784
https://twitter.com/megan__reilly/status/804571310655500288
Rail fares going up by 2.3%. What an absolute piss take.
— Seasiders Podcast (@SeasidersPod) December 2, 2016
https://twitter.com/Sam_Inkersole88/status/804584066817331200
https://twitter.com/RCumiskey13/status/804598313215467520
https://twitter.com/BenWoolley123/status/804584048538648577
National Rail: "We could make improvements to our services and make trains on time?"
Inner NR: "just put the ticket prices up more" pic.twitter.com/fiOszg5LKt— Rory Fraser Photography🤘 (@92RoryF) December 2, 2016
