Better Transport

We're working to improve train journeys.

Trains fares are too expensive and are often overcrowded, while running too infrequently to stations that are often hard to reach without a car. 

Train service is an excellent alternative to driving, but we need to be able to leave our cars at home.  Good rail policy would help us to tackle climate change and reduce traffic, thereby improving our lives, our communities and our environment.

Strong Government action is required now

Hundreds of companies are involved in our rail network, making it hard to know who to turn to for better train service.  Ultimately we need to look to the Government to provide the leadership, framework and support to enable rail companies to improve our rail network.

Here are our top priorities to improve train travel:

• Rail needs to be cheaper and fares less complex

Above-inflation fare increases, and a fare system that is complicated and unjust, are unfair to passengers and must be changed.  Walk-on train fares must be reduced, to make trains a viable alternative to driving for unplanned journeys. Reducing bus and rail fares and increasing motoring and aviation taxes alone could lead to a 13% cut in carbon emissions by 2025.

• Overcrowding needs to be tackled

The Government needs a clear plan to tackle overcrowding by expanding services, not pricing people off trains. It must introduce the new trains promised in 2007's rail White Paper as soon as possible, and reopen rail lines

• It needs to be easier to take the train

We need better ticketing systems, and more accessible stations, which are easier to get to by bus or bike.

We argued that the Government should promote station travel plans, and made some suggestions (PDF) for how this could work. The Government agreed, and station travel plans are now going ahead in 31 pilot stations around the country.  Other stations are getting travel plans as a result of initiatives by train companies or councils.

Local authorities, train operators and developers need to work together to improve stations, following good examples from around the country.

Passengers need a seven-day railway:  fewer weekend line closures, with some lines working while work is done on others, should be the norm.

• Rail operator costs need to be brought down

Saving money means more money for investment, and better services for passengers. Yet since 1997, the cost of running the rail network has trebled. Railways must be held accountable and run more efficiently, rather than just making passengers pay more.  The East Coast contract should be public-run for the long term, so that Government can benchmark its performance as compared with private franchises. Complex compensation systems for delays need to be streamlined to bring costs down. Rail improvements could be made cheaper by, for example, cutting the payments to rail companies when lines are closed for improvements.

• Rail needs to be better planned

Better links between our rail network, housing and retail developments is a planning necessity.  High density development results in high rail use, as we outlined in a consultation response about rail safeguarding in December 2008. (pdf, 14k)

• Rail’s environmental record need to improve

Environmental strategies must be a mandatory element of franchise bids. Rail would be even greener if all railway lines and trains were run on green electricity. Railfuture and ASLEF are campaigning for more electrification.

You are part of the solution

While the Government needs to do a great deal, there are ways you can help to improve trains:

• If you want to improve your local train service, read our online guides.
• If you want to cut the price of fares, join our fares campaign
• If you agree rail improvements are needed, support us.