RAIL FARE RIP-OFF

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: january 2016 :: RMTnews 8 Commuters on Britain’s privatised railways returned to work after the Christmas break to face new fare increases, spending up to six times as much of their salaries on rail fares as European passengers on publicly-owned railways, new analysis has revealed. Action for Rail, a campaign by rail unions and the TUC, has compared average earnings with monthly season tickets on similar commuter routes across Europe. The analysis looked at a UK worker on an average salary who is now spending 13 per cent of their monthly wages on a £357.90 monthly season ticket from Chelmsford to London. By contrast, the average amount of salary going on a monthly season ticket for a similar journey is just two per cent in Italy, three per cent in Spain and four per cent in Germany. The comparably high costs of the UK’s privatised railways are reflected by public opinion. A separate new poll for Action for Rail of 1,719 British adults by YouGov found that: 61% say train services in the UK are bad value for money 62% think that fares would be cheaper if train companies weren't trying to make a profit 62% support public ownership of train operating companies RAIL FARE RIP-OFF Commuters spend up to six times as much of their salary on rail fares as other European passengers RENATIONLAISE: Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn (centre right) flanked by Shadow Secretary of State for Transport Lillian Greenwood (centre left) join a protest over rail fares outside King's Cross Station, London, as government accused of profiting from commuters with the annual hike in rail fares.