Railing Against Transport Injustice

That rail passengers have been shafted over again is hardly news. Every year it’s the same. And unsurprisingly, it’s been widely reported as a source of indignation for travellers – mostly commuters, of course.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/4/20090102/tuk-rail-fares-increased-by-up-to11-dba1618.html

Now, I understand that operating costs aren’t coming down: fuel might not be bargain basement right now despite costs coming down again, rail staff want paying decent salaries – for which I can’t blame them – and everything they buy in, from repairs to toilet paper, isn’t getting any cheaper on an annual basis. I can deal with that.

But what I can’t deal with is the fact that most people who travel by rail do so because they either desperately want to leave their cars at home, for whatever reason, be it congestion, speed of transit or environmental reasons, all of which are valid reasons, many of which should be applauded, or simply because they cannot drive.

Now, I cannot drive, and I choose not to because a) I can’t afford to b) I simply cannot drive: have never learned c) I don’t see driving as a sound environmental choice. Now I’m not asking for a medal here, but if our government is as keen to go green as it claims, I should get something. Like access to a subsidised rail service, the likes of which they have in Japan, Australia and many parts of mainland Europe.

I particularly believe I – or the rail network – should get something now, not because of the economic situation per se – the news article suggests that rail prices should come down because the price of other goods are being lowered by companies in order to entice buyers – but because while our government is happy to chuck endless cash at banks who were too unscrupulous and greedy to lend sensibly, and at people who’ve been stupid enough to land themselves eyeball-deep in debt, all too often by buying 4-bedroom houses they couldn’t afford simply to impress their friends, and at various failing car firms whose days are likely to be numbered anyway (cars are only going to be so useful when we’ve bled the oil reserves dry), there doesn’t seem to be much on offer for the prudent, the sensible, the conscientious. Or the genuinely poor for that matter. Let’s face it, a 2.5% cut in VAT only adds up to anything if you’re spending heaps. What if you’ve not got heaps to spend – and therefore “save” – in the first place?

Ordinarily, I’d say that consumers should vote with their wallets, ad with their feet, by taking their custom elsewhere. But in this instance, such a protest simply doesn’t work. What am I going to do? Say “fuck you, I”ll learn to drive and buy a car instead?’ Er, hardly, given that even if I wanted to drive, I simply couldn’t afford the lessons, and then to purchase and run a car. And besides, I don’t make many journeys where to drive would be preferable to going by train. What’s more, I can’t very well read or whip out my notebook and start writing if I’m behind the wheel. So what other alternatives are there? “Screw you, I”ll stay at home and only travel within walking distance of my house unless you reduce fares?’ Yeah, right. Ultimately, I’m afraid to say I can’t see a solution. Prices are rising, but salaries aren’t, and where they are, it’s hardly in proportion to the escalating cost of living. Which leaves me in the position of being just one more dissatisfied consumer needing to let off steam and considering a trip to the bike shop.