19 May 2011
McNulty Rail Review
UK GOVERNMENT MUST ENSURE TRAVELLERS ARE NOT PRICED OFF PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Transform Scotland [1] has today (Thursday 19 May) responded to the
launch of the McNulty rail review, saying that the UK Government has
to ensure that rail fares do not rise.
Spokesperson Paul Tetlaw said:
"Only a couple of days ago, the UK Government set out an ambitious
programme for cutting greenhouse gas emissions. One of the key ways
to achieve this will be to get more people to use public transport.
"What the government has to ensure is that rail fares do not rise as
a result of the McNulty review. Scottish rail travellers already face
unacceptable increases in rail fares. It is well-known that it is the
price of using trains that is the key issue that deters greater use
of rail travel. [3]
Paul continued:
"There are double standards in pricing for road and for rail. It is
simply not acceptable that rail travellers pay hefty peak time fares
when motorists travelling at peak time, usually in single occupancy
cars, face no similar penalty.
"Our railways are a vital part of our transport infrastructure now
and will become even more so going forward as we face the twin
challenges of climate change and reducing oil supplies."
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] See DfT statement at
<http://nds.coi.gov.uk/clientmicrosite/Content/Detail.aspx?ClientId=202&NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=419576&SubjectId=36>.
[3] See Passenger Focus 'National Passenger Survey':
<http://www.passengerfocus.org.uk/news-and-publications/press-release.asp?dsid=4537>.
END OF NEWS RELEASE