I’m taking the train today, too, on the first day of fare hikes

As though public transport isn’t already too expensive and inconvenient, rail fares are going up — above inflation. The Tories say it’s about forcing people off the train because planned improvements haven’t happened (I don’t know whether or not that’s true).

Train companies say the extra money is to pay for service improvements.

We do have a car now (and it’s already at the mechanic’s; nothing serious, just taking longer than needed because of the holidays), but we wouldn’t if the public transport system was better. It’s also already very expensive, and it doesn’t make sense to me that in this day and age they haven’t rolled out ticketing and fare collection systems like those in Singapore and Hong Kong (lack of political will?). In short, I don’t think there will be meaningful service improvements.

PS. First Scotrail doesn’t say if this country is affected, so I’ll see when I get on the train this evening.

• 2 Jan 2007

• Thinking