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Rail Review: what are the railways for?
Hello Supporter
The Government is in the middle of a major review of the railway. We want to make sure that it steps back and looks at what the railways are for. Rather than focusing narrowly on operational issues, we want it to think about how to maximise the social, economic and environmental benefits of rail.
This is the main argument that we make in our submission to the rail review.
We want to make sure that the Rail Review listens to passengers, so we asked thousands of people: what are the railways for? One answer came through more strongly than any other: the main aim of the railway is to provide an alternative to car travel.
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"To provide efficient transport for large numbers of people and volumes of freight." Tim, Essex
"To support the economy, to lessen the effect of travel upon the environment." Kevin, Woodford Green
"To connect friends and family. To increase social connectivity and help people enjoy and participate in cultural activities." Jenny, Hull
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If you were one of the people who took part in our survey, warmest thanks. We also wanted to get a clearer picture of passengers’s concerns about the railways. Unsurprisingly, ticket prices were the biggest concern, but other views came through strongly too.
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"Complicated and opaque ticket pricing structure." David, Ludlow
"On my route from May to December 2018 we had over four timetables and the off-peak service dropped from three to two trains per hour. Sure, now it's alright, but the trains are incredibly old, unreliable, and so unclean. Graffiti sometimes covers the walls, doors and windows so you don't know where you are." Daniel, Enfield
"I am very, very, very often delayed in my journeys. Almost every time. And it's very expensive so it's hard for me to afford. But I have to travel to support my 90-year-old mother who lives 200 miles away." Hannah, Leeds
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The Review will publish its findings in the autumn: we hope it will listen to us and seize this chance to make real change happen.
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Rail investment works
Earlier this month we published a report looking in detail at the improvements to the West Coast Mainline and the impact they have had. It shows that investment in the railways can do an amazing job of reducing carbon emissions, boosting local economies and tackling road congestion.
Thanks to investment in the West Coast Mainline:
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Capacity has been increased by up to three times on key routes
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Flights to Manchester from other cities served by the line have declined by two thirds
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Over seven million car journeys a year between London and Manchester have been saved.
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Together let’s call for more investment in the railways, for the sake of passengers and the planet.
Good bye till next time
Darren
Chief Executive
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