Railway Fares
SIR,—From your references to the railways in the Spectator of April 18th, one might imagine a difficult and insoluble problem where none really exists. For many years the railways have reduced their service to the public by cutting down trains and at the same time increasing their fares. It is not surprising if the result is that their income does not cover their costs.
Consider, for example, the journey from Harrogate to York, for which the railway quotes three fares: 2s. 9d. excursion fare: (outward by 12.45 train only; return on the same day). 6s. 3d. monthly return; 8s. 6d. ordinary return without time limit. The bus company takes us to York for 2s. I Id. return, provides an hourly service, and its return tickets are available for months. Is it very surprising that crowded buses are held up at level-crossings whilst trains pass through with less than one passenger per carriage ? Would a further increase in pas- senger fares really augment railway incomes ? If all these irritating restrictions were abolished, and the 2s. 9d. return made available for ever on any York train, would it really ruin the railways to pack their empty coaches at half-a-crown a head ? When I buy a return ticket I pay for the return-half in advance, and, in effect, I am making the railway an interest-free loan of my money. If I delay my return for twelve rather than one month I am benefiting the railways. Why then all these pettifogging restrictions on the use of return-half tickets ?— Yours faithfully,
Flat 3, 18 West Clip Grove, Harrogate.
WINSTON C. E. HARTLEY.
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