Various facts and figures related to Train Journeys from Hell.
Please note that the links listed on this page are external to Channel 4 and open in new browser windows.
Fact: We have the most expensive train fares in the world. We pay 20% more on average than the rest of Europe, and our season tickets are twice as high. Some season tickets now cost the equivalent of a fifth of the average UK salary.
Source: Campaign for Better Transport(opens in a new window)
Fact: Fares are set to rise 25% over the next four years – up to £1,300 more for some season tickets.
Source: Campaign for Better Transport(opens in a new window)
Fact: 8 out of 10 people oppose the Government's plans to increase fares even more in 2012. This was the single most unpopular policy announced in the spending review. (YouGov).
Source: Campaign for Better Transport(opens in a new window)
Fact: Since 1997, the cost of train travel has increased in real terms by 13%; the cost of road travel has fallen by 14% and the average price of a one way flight from Britain has fallen by 35%
Source: The Guardian: Comment Is Free(opens in a new window)
Fact: According to Passenger Focus (2009), Britain's train tickets are, on average, the most expensive in Europe.
Day return: Britain £6.92 / Germany £5.08 / Spain £2.52 / France £1.85. (Passenger Focus; averages for journeys of three to 10 miles).
Annual season ticket: Britain £1,860 / France £990 / Germany £944 / Spain £788 / Italy £444. (Passenger Focus; averages for journeys of 11 to 25 miles).
Source: BBC News(opens in a new window)
Fact: The Campaign for Better Transport explains that the fare rises, which came into effect on 2 January 2011, mean that commuters in some parts of the country are being asked to pay £5,192, or 20% of the average UK salary, for their annual season ticket. This is the equivalent of transport secretary Philip Hammond MP being asked to pay £27,034 for a season ticket (or the equivalent, for David Cameron, of £28,628). £25,948 is the median gross UK annual earnings for April 2009 – April 2010, (Office for National Statistics). David Cameron's annual salary: £142,500. Philip Hammond's annual salary: £134,565 (House of Commons Information Office).
Source: Campaign for Better Transport(opens in a new window)
Fact: Peak fares can start at 3pm. Train operators Virgin and East Coast charge passengers peak fares from as early as 3pm, an investigation has found.
Source: Which? magazine(opens in a new window)
Fact: Network Rail up to 40% less efficient in maintaining railway tracks and stations than European rivals, says regulator (September 2010)
Source: The Guardian(opens in a new window)
Fact: The 07.42 from Reading to London Paddington, operated by First Great Western, carried on average 326 passengers more than the train's capacity of 533. Described by the DfT as a 'very popular service into Paddington', it was one of 10 trains identified in a Freedom of Information reply. The figures were compiled in a snapshot survey taken in late 2009.
Source: The Telegraph(opens in a new window)
Fact: Overcrowding on trains in England and Wales will get substantially worse over the next four years despite rises in ticket prices, according to a report by MPs on The Public Accounts Committee (October 2010)
Source: The Public Accounts Committee(opens in a new window)
Fact: Normally you would expect to buy one train ticket covering the whole train journey from 'A' to 'D'. Depending on your route and time of travel, you may find it a lot cheaper to 'split Your ticket' by buying separate train tickets that cover the segments from A to B , B to C and C to D. Some websites claim to help commuters save money splitting their tickets.
For example: http://splityourticket.co.uk/(opens in a new window)
Fact: A recent YouGov poll found that the planned fare hikes for 2012 were the single most unpopular policy announced in the Comprehensive Spending Review, opposed by eight out of 10 people.
Source: YouGov(opens in a new window)
