RMT expresses dismay at fares blow from ORR

Publication Date: May 31 2007

BRITAIN’S BIGGEST rail union today expressed its dismay that the Office of Rail Regulation has decided to rule out an investigation into the massive fares increases imposed by private train-operating companies.

RMT described the ORR's view that increases in off-peak fares by South West Trains and Arriva Trains Wales were not excessive as "breathtaking" and called for government action to stop operators pricing people off rail and onto roads.

"Talk about the climate challenge and the importance of reducing carbon emissions will remain just talk if the government allows never-ending fares hikes that can only result in ever more polluting road traffic," RMT general secretary Bob Crow said today.

"A fundamental shift in policy is needed that will use fares policy to encourage people out of cars and onto trains, and alongside that we need to recognise the need for substantial public investment in new rail capacity.

"Only last year the Commons Transport Select Committee condemned the shambolic state of rail-pricing structures and exposed the private sector's inability to operate the railways as a public service.

 "Britain's rail fares are already among the most expensive in Europe, and as long as the operators are allowed to continue hiking them the government will be unable to meet its commitment to reduce carbon emissions," Bob Crow said.