5 November 2013
20th Anniversary of the Railways Act
Transform Scotland [1] has today responded to the 20th anniversary of the passing of the Railways Act. [2]
Paul Tetlaw, Transform Scotland rail campaigner, said:
“The 20th anniversary of the passing of the Railways Act is a time for Government's at Holyrood and Westminster to stop imposing ever greater costs on rail passengers. In the last 20 years rail fares have risen by well above inflation while motoring costs have declined in real terms.
"If Governments truly wish to see more people using public transport -- with all the wider societal benefits that brings -- then they should send the right price signals. For the last 20 years we've seen comparative costs going in the wrong direction, with public transport becoming more expensive and car use less so.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
[1] Transform Scotland is the national sustainable transport alliance, bringing together rail, bus and shipping operators, local authorities, national environment and conservation groups, businesses and local transport groups - see <http://www.transformscotland.org.uk/members.aspx> for details.
[2] The Railways Act 1993 was passed on 5 November 1993. The primary purpose of the legislation was to allow the transfer of the separated parts of the rail network from the public to the private sector.
END OF NEWS RELEASE