Why the Net has the advantage in the ‘Undies world’
- Shopping blogger Emma Iannarilli
Travel misery as fares rise
Wednesday 2nd January 2008, 11:45AM GMT.
Bus, train and tram passengers in the West Midlands were hit with “unfair and unjust” ticket price rises today.
The cost of some tickets went up by 10 per cent – almost five times the rate of inflation, it was revealed today. Transport bosses claimed the rises were necessary to invest in the services and meet the rising costs of fuel.
But they were criticised by passenger groups who warned people would simply transfer to cars, increasing road congestion.
The situation was made worse today by over-running maintenance works which hit passengers travelling between the West Midlands and London. The line remained shut at Rugby, forcing passengers onto coaches and adding at least an hour onto journeys.
Anthony Smith, chief executive of Passenger Focus, said: “These unjustified and unfair rises will rankle.” He urged passengers to complain “loud and clear” to travel companies.
Rush-hour commuters travelling from Wolverhampton to Birmingham New Street will now pay £6 for a return ticket instead of £5.70. There has also been a 10p increase on tickets between Wolverhampton and Walsall.
On the Midland Metro, an off-peak return rose today from £1.30 to £1.40 and a peak return from £4 to £4.20. Adult single fares went up from 90p to £1.10 for one stop or £2.40 to £2.50 for longer journeys.
Meanwhile some passengers were evacuated from part of a railway station at Birmingham International Airport today. A small fire in a buffet hall led to the partial evacuation of the station this morning.
Virgin, already hit by the maintenance work on the West Coast main line, urged people to avoid its services.
The fire started mid-morning and was dealt with quickly. Two fire crews were called to the station at 10.15am. The fire was in a rear kitchen in a cafe at the station. There were no injuries.
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Poor management with customer service skills has led to these rises.
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It’s not all bad news! The price of Travel West Midlands’ Daysavers has been pegged; and the price of a Black Country Faresaver has actually come DOWN!
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price rises on public transport must be tied to tangible improvements in performance and quality. having used buses and occasionally local trains for over 20 years I can confidently say that conditions and the timekeeping on buses has got worse. As for the costs of using trains it is just a plain rip-off. Phil Bateman (the mouthpiece of TravelWM) should try my journey on a daily basis and I’m sure he would get the picture as to why I would discourage anyone from using the bus service.
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I’ve been a public transport user all my life (I’ve never owned a car)and I have to say that I’ve never known the bus service (provided by Travel West Midlands) to be worse. On a normal day it takes me between 90minutes and two and a half hours to travel between my home and work. In a car it takes 25 to 35 minutes. Most of the extra time is spent waiting in the street in the hope that a bus will arrive and will be completing the journey rather than terminating early precipitating me back onto the street to wait for yet another bus. They are late, they are dirty, the older one leak like seives, they are unheated most of the winter and heated most of the summer, they often stink of tobacco and cannabis smoke from the top deck and many of the drivers have no idea of the names of the roads their route takes them along. It’s pointless asking most of the drivers for advice these days.
Finally, after 50 years as a bus used I’ve been forced to buy a car. I know I’m adding to the pollution problem and I also know it will probably marginally more expensive to travel now but I will be able to get to work and back without risking hypothermia or being regarded as some form of cattle.I’ll also be able to get out on Sundays (when there is local no bus service in my area of Harborne/ Quinton).
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Good idea, up the fairs so that the riff raff cant afford get on and intimidate normal working folk!
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Large price rises seem to be a sign of the times. I have to say as a regular commuter across the West Midlands, the train service is now much better than it has been for some years. The information systems have improved, and the new Desiro units are very nice. The only things I could ask for are more new rolling stock to replace the outdated electric 323 and Diesel 150 units, and more frequent trains to stop overcrowding at peak times.
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If the Midland Metro collected fares of everyone they could drop the price not increase it. I on average only get charged to use the Metro about 60% of the time I use it, On busy times I have gone both ways free and this is not for the want to pay .I have complained about this to Midland Metro and no one has even bothered to reply to my E-Mail.
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i think the fare prices are stupid i remember wen i was at school i used 2 catch the for 17p then 27p wen i turned 16 now its £1.60 its actually cheaper 4 me 2 catch a taxi with my children than it is to catch bus i just cnt believe how much the prices keep rising its not even as if there actually gud the buses are scruffy n smell an they neva cum on time either its just really discracful
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So is your spelling!
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Each year the same thing happen, just after Christmas fares go up, but they do give us warning of this before Christmas. its just that we are to busy to notice the signs on the transport when hurrying arouns shopping.
I will have no other choice than to walk and use the car as it works out cheaper than going by public transport.
In ref to Kenny remarks,”Good idea, up the fairs so that the riff raff cant afford get on and intimidate normal working folk”! These riff raff that you are implying to get free travel off schools/colleges, job centers so they can travel for interviews, and local goverment if they are imagrants.so no it wont keep riff raff off public transport.
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Wouldn’t mind if the vehicles were clean, both inside and out, but you never know what you are sitting on, and brushing up against. Anyone remember when the buses were washed inside and out, and you would get on to wet floors but smelling clean. No wonder we have so many illnesses around these days, cleanliness has gone.
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In 1995 the single fare on the bus from Wolverhampton to Birmingham was £1.30.
In 2007 it is £1.50, a 20p rise in 12 years.
How much has fuel gone up in that time?
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10p increase a year isn’t so bad. Fares went up 20p last year. My husband’s car insurance went up £20 (never claimed)and that’s a disgrace.
What’s bad about public transport is the so-called timetable. Where did those A2Z buses go? The electronic timetable at Wolverhampton Bus Station is absolute phooey.
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come on people get a grip.we are talking about pennies here.all modes of transportation is still a good value.compare it to a pie and pint.sounds reasonable to me.
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You think that bad, my annual ticket has increase by 18.18%
flexitime ticket is from “New Southgate” to “Welwyn Garden City”
Last year it was £880 now it is £1040
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got on the bus today and couldn’t believe it when the driver said how much the fare was. i am a student nurse on a bursary and have 2 catch 4 buses a day, this is ridiculous. kenny that was an unfair comment!!!!
and why are the 65+ people moaning don’t they get a free bus pass????
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Have to agree with Roy Lavendar about the Metro… You’re lucky to get a conductor on them these days, and some that are don’t even pay attention to the passengers, prefering to chat on their mobiles, or listen to Mp3′s… I’ve even seen them reading books or papers onboard? Thought they were paid to work, not skive? That’s our taxes and fares paying for them to sit idle….
It’s a joke – sort it Metro bosses.
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So the fares are going up/gone up and you do not get the service,need I say anymore.The same goes for bus fares I could clean a bus a damn site better than those cleaners.Infact when you get on a bus early on a morning they smell of dirty mops they need to get some better cleaners it is a disgrace.
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Stop moaning!! At least we live in a country where there is public transport and you dont have to walk 6 hours to get to work!! Things may be bad but please all just remember how lucky you are to be living in this country and not living everyday scared for your life!
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I think the fare on the buses is pretty good compared to using the car and other public transprt. It’s just that with the car it’s more convenient, the journey time is a lot quicker, and there’s no waiting around.
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I wouldn’t pay to travel on public transport with the great unwashed. I’ll stick to my car thanks
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In reply to Kenny, I would like to point out that the so-called riff raff are the only ones who can actually afford the fare rises. After all, they have the most up-to-date mobile phones and music players, not to mention brand named footwear. So kenny, just remember that because you’re on the breadline, it doesnt make you riff raff,and being riff raff doesnt make you hard up.
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…and in reply to lol… I wouldn’t pay to go on a bus if I knew you were on it.
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Well said Stella – Kenny & lol whats with the great unwashed comment? Not all bus users are riff raff you know! After 7 years of walking to and from work,my office has recently relocated and I have been forced to use buses as I don’t drive. I’m lucky that my employer is paying a percentage of my travel costs for 2 years then after that its my own expense.
I have a mild physical disability, worked all my life and never claimed benefit so don’t consider me riff raff.
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