Train Fares Going Down. About Time Too. The Standard Of Service Still Isn't Up To Scratch

The train operating companies have been led kicking and screaming to accept the fact that they are going to have to reduce fares for passengers. This fare reduction comes not a moment too soon.

For too long, the train operators (with a few exceptions such as Grand Central) have been taking advantage of the inflation link to squeeze passengers wallets by increasing fares without any commensurate increase in service. Indeed, rather than improving the traveller experience, too many companies have become obsessed with spending huge sums of money installing barriers and appointing ticket collectors who, all too often, have their major concern as squeeing the last penny out of long suffering travellers.

Frankly, passengers have had to put up with paying extortionate prices for a standard of service that is frankly not good enough. A standard return from Durham to London is now over £100. At times, that doesn't even guarantee you a seat. On other routes, you will pay sky high prices for a standing trip, with no luggage space and, at times, no working toilets.

So it is about time that passengers are asked to pay less for what can be a substandard service. The train operating companies should not try to get around this by increasing the fares that are not regulated. Instead they should be concentrating all of their energies on improving the passenger experience.