Real cost of motoring fell since 1997 while public transport costs rose
Fri 08 May 2009
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Motoring costs have fallen by 13 per cent in real terms while bus and train fares have risen above the rate of inflation according to official figures, seen by the Independent newspaper.
Bus and coach fares have increased by 17 per cent above inflation while rail fares have risen by 7 per cent extra above inflation.
The Independent reported that despite the figures, the Department for Transport refused to favour public transport over car use. A spokesman said: "Investment in buses has more than doubled over the last 10 years and we are committing £15bn to our railways over the next five years. However, this does not necessarily mean giving up your car, which is why over the past decade we've delivered £150bn of investment on all forms of transport."
The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) blamed the Government's determination to reduce the industry's subsidy for rail fare increases. The rail industry watchdog, Passenger Focus, also called for the policy to be reversed. "People always cite price and reliability as the two main reasons for being unsatisfied with train travel," said Ashwin Kumar, its passenger director. "The Government needs to look at this policy again."
Norman Baker, the Liberal Democrats' transport spokesman said: "While ministers are busy preaching about cutting carbon emissions, the Department for Transport has allowed polluting transport to become cheaper and cleaner transport to become more expensive."
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