WITHIN weeks of the publication of statistics demonstrating even worse services on the West Coast Line, connecting the North West with London, Richard Branson's Virgin Express have implemented a massive, yet disguised, hike in fares.
From September 27, new restrictions apply to return journeys with Saver and Supersaver tickets to the North West, in that they are no longer valid on many late afternoon and early evening trains from London, usually the more popular trains.
Price rises resulting from this move vary from one departure to another, but one example that I have personally experienced is having to pay £113 for a ticket which gives me access to all return trains, where formerly I paid £39.50.
Surely this is excessive profiteering for a service which gets worse with every inspection report.
The disastrous experiment with rail privatisation should be ended, the network and rolling stock should be restored to public control and the fat cats who have got rich on the backs of the suffering travelling public should not get another penny out of the public purse.
ROGER BANNISTER, UNISON National Executive Council (personal capacity)
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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