UK: Railways are "a rich man's toy"

[John Ashworth]

The Railway Magazine, November 2011, p7

Railways are "a rich man's toy" - Transport Secretary

Britain's railways are 'a rich man's toy', Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has publicly admitted.

The man ultimately responsible for the nation's network said in September that "it's an uncomfortable fact that trains are already used by the better-off" and added that some fares are "eye-wateringly expensive".

His comments came in response to questions at a Commons Transport Select Committee about whether travel on HS2 would be affordable.

Said Hammond: "Uncomfortable fact number one is that the railway is already relatively a rich man's toy.

"People who use the railway on average have significantly higher incomes than the population as a whole - simple fact."

Mt Hammond later tried to play down the significance of his comment, insisting he had simply stated a fact about rail users and denying blaming high fares, but he came under fire from Labour politicians and train user groups who pointed the finger at his decision to allow fares to rise an average of 8% next year.

Stephen Joseph, chief executive of the Campaign for Better Transport, commented:

"Far from being simply a 'rich man's toy' trains are vital for many of those on more moderate incomes who need to get to work, and the Government will price many off the railways if it carries on with its plan to increase rail fares at three percent above inflation over the next few years."

On another aspect of HS2 travel, the Transport Secretary told the transport committee that the "ripple effects" of the line would spread across the country.

"If you are a factory worker from Manchester, you might never get on HS2 but you will certainly be benefiting from it if the sales director of your company is routinely hopping on to it to meet customers, to jet around the world from Heathrow in a way that brings in orders to keep you employed."

So that's alright then. As long as the fat cats can hop on the train from time to time, the workers will keep their jobs. Capitalism in action. Did someone say "noblesse oblige"?