Transport Campaigner Graeme Sherriff urged passengers to support their campaign, "The UK has some of the most expensive rail fares in the world and all the rules and restrictions make fares so complicated even some of the staff get confused! We know that high fares are one of the biggest barriers to greater use of the trains. The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) must address these problems in their review of fares policy. An accessible and affordable train service is a vital component of a sustainable transport network."
Friends of the Earth's 3 key demands [4] for change are
Andrew MacFarlane of the Railfuture added, "The SRA are saying that fare increases may be necessary to pay for improvements to the network and ease overcrowding. We doubt if many passengers would agree, and we would urge them to support our campaign. Many European countries have cheaper fares and better run rail systems. They can do it, so can we."
Manchester Friends of the Earth (0161 834 8221, [email protected])