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Rail firms reject fare criticism Rail firms reject fare criticism
(about 1 hour later)
The rail industry has rejected claims by MPs that train operators take passengers for granted and charge too much for tickets.The rail industry has rejected claims by MPs that train operators take passengers for granted and charge too much for tickets.
The Commons transport committee had warned the rail franchise system was in "a muddle" and allowed train companies to "take advantage" of passengers.The Commons transport committee had warned the rail franchise system was in "a muddle" and allowed train companies to "take advantage" of passengers.
It also criticised "unacceptable" fare rises of up to 11% above inflation.It also criticised "unacceptable" fare rises of up to 11% above inflation.
The Association of Train Operating Companies said four-fifths of passengers bought discounted tickets.The Association of Train Operating Companies said four-fifths of passengers bought discounted tickets.
The MPs' report said companies were making profits in good times but forcing the government to step in when revenues fell.The MPs' report said companies were making profits in good times but forcing the government to step in when revenues fell.
href="'graph">Graph showing rail price increases href="#graph">Graph showing rail price increases
They pointed to the "high profile failure" of operators GNER and National Express as evidence of underlying problems.They pointed to the "high profile failure" of operators GNER and National Express as evidence of underlying problems.
And they urged the government to run East Coast trains itself after the Edinburgh to London route was hit by dwindling passenger numbers.And they urged the government to run East Coast trains itself after the Edinburgh to London route was hit by dwindling passenger numbers.
State ownershipState ownership
The government is set to take the National Express-run franchise into state ownership after ministers refused its requests for its contract to be renegotiated.The government is set to take the National Express-run franchise into state ownership after ministers refused its requests for its contract to be renegotiated.
But National Express said it continued "to meet or exceed all of its franchise commitments" and had "made significant improvements in the performance of the service taking it from the bottom to the top of the long distance operators".But National Express said it continued "to meet or exceed all of its franchise commitments" and had "made significant improvements in the performance of the service taking it from the bottom to the top of the long distance operators".
"It is recognised the challenges facing East Coast are purely financial as a result of the recession," a spokesman said."It is recognised the challenges facing East Coast are purely financial as a result of the recession," a spokesman said.
The committee of MPs said nationalisation could be a way of comparing the performance of the public and private sectors.The committee of MPs said nationalisation could be a way of comparing the performance of the public and private sectors.
The franchise mess is beyond reform and the only real solution is a return to public ownership of railways Bob CrowRMT general secretaryThe franchise mess is beyond reform and the only real solution is a return to public ownership of railways Bob CrowRMT general secretary
They also raised concerns about ticket prices.They also raised concerns about ticket prices.
Passengers had to go to "extraordinary lengths" to get cheap fares and fares had risen out of all proportion to the rest of the economy, the committee said.Passengers had to go to "extraordinary lengths" to get cheap fares and fares had risen out of all proportion to the rest of the economy, the committee said.
However, tighter rules will now tie all prices to inflation plus 1% - and should mean most fares are cheaper by next January.However, tighter rules will now tie all prices to inflation plus 1% - and should mean most fares are cheaper by next January.
The chief executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies, Michael Roberts, defended the industry against the allegation that it is taking passengers for granted.The chief executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies, Michael Roberts, defended the industry against the allegation that it is taking passengers for granted.
"If you think about some of the longer distance routes, the Virgin West Coast Mainline up to the North West from London, or the National Express route up to Scotland, then these routes are actually competing both with the car and with the domestic airlines."If you think about some of the longer distance routes, the Virgin West Coast Mainline up to the North West from London, or the National Express route up to Scotland, then these routes are actually competing both with the car and with the domestic airlines.
"They have to fight hard through the quality of service and the fares that they offer to passengers. And they are doing that with some success.""They have to fight hard through the quality of service and the fares that they offer to passengers. And they are doing that with some success."
The Commons transport committee's Labour chairman Louise Ellman said: "The fare rises we saw this year were excessive.The Commons transport committee's Labour chairman Louise Ellman said: "The fare rises we saw this year were excessive.
"Companies cream off profits in good times, but leave passengers to pick up the bill when hard times hit.""Companies cream off profits in good times, but leave passengers to pick up the bill when hard times hit."
Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has now closed a loophole which allowed train companies to increase prices of certain journeys if average fares remained within rules.Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has now closed a loophole which allowed train companies to increase prices of certain journeys if average fares remained within rules.
'High profile failure''High profile failure'
Anthony Smith, chief executive of rail customer watchdog Passenger Focus, welcomed the report.Anthony Smith, chief executive of rail customer watchdog Passenger Focus, welcomed the report.
"Passengers tell us in no uncertain terms that they find the fares and ticketing system confusing and unfair," he said."Passengers tell us in no uncertain terms that they find the fares and ticketing system confusing and unfair," he said.
Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers said the report was "scathing about the way Labour has run the rail franchising system".Shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers said the report was "scathing about the way Labour has run the rail franchising system".
HAVE YOUR SAY The system is run in a fragmented fashion by companies whose principal aim is profit Penny W, Exeter Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY The system is run in a fragmented fashion by companies whose principal aim is profit Penny W, Exeter Send us your comments
Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT union, agreed.Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT union, agreed.
"The franchise mess is beyond reform and the only real solution is a return to public ownership of railways," he said."The franchise mess is beyond reform and the only real solution is a return to public ownership of railways," he said.
However, Peter White, professor of public transport systems at the University of Westminster, told the BBC having longer franchises for companies could have "substantial benefits".However, Peter White, professor of public transport systems at the University of Westminster, told the BBC having longer franchises for companies could have "substantial benefits".
"For example, they could invest in improved ticketing systems such as smartcards," he said."For example, they could invest in improved ticketing systems such as smartcards," he said.
"But the problem is that if you've made a long-term franchise commitment and the company runs into difficulty, you must have some means of curtailing that franchise over a shorter period.""But the problem is that if you've made a long-term franchise commitment and the company runs into difficulty, you must have some means of curtailing that franchise over a shorter period."
Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker backed longer franchises which he said would "end the bureaucratic costs of changing operators every few years".Liberal Democrat transport spokesman Norman Baker backed longer franchises which he said would "end the bureaucratic costs of changing operators every few years".
Lord Adonis said reforms to improve the rail franchising system were being considered - including longer franchises.Lord Adonis said reforms to improve the rail franchising system were being considered - including longer franchises.
"When the rail franchising system was examined by the National Audit Office last year they found that it was delivering good value for money, and steadily improving services," he said."When the rail franchising system was examined by the National Audit Office last year they found that it was delivering good value for money, and steadily improving services," he said.
"The government will consider the committee's report and respond fully in due course.""The government will consider the committee's report and respond fully in due course."
RAIL PRICE INCREASES 1997-2008 1997 is the first year after the entire rail network was privatised Regulated fares, eg season tickets and longer-distance, off-peak fares, are capped by the Government at 1% above inflation, as measured by the Retail Price Index. Prior to 2004 they were capped at 1% below inflation. Unregulated fares, eg most leisure fares including what used to be known as cheap day returns, and advance tickets, are not pegged to inflationRAIL PRICE INCREASES 1997-2008 1997 is the first year after the entire rail network was privatised Regulated fares, eg season tickets and longer-distance, off-peak fares, are capped by the Government at 1% above inflation, as measured by the Retail Price Index. Prior to 2004 they were capped at 1% below inflation. Unregulated fares, eg most leisure fares including what used to be known as cheap day returns, and advance tickets, are not pegged to inflation
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