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Rail congestion charge 'solution' to overcrowding

Rail passengers face a congestion charge-style hike in rush-hour ticket prices, it has been revealed.

Rail companies are considering the option as part of moves to combat an expected rise of up to 28 per cent in customer numbers over the next 10 years.

Passengers in the south east of England will be worst hit by the "rail peak pricing", one of the solutions listed by the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) to ease overcrowding.

George Muir, ATOC director general, said the increased prices would stop more people turning to the railways during rush hour, a trend expected to be aggravated by the expected introduction of road tolls.

The Rail industry is one of the few service sectors where the cost of the service is inversely proportional to the quality. Ever since the Hatfield crash in October 2000 the quality of service has dipped quite dramatically. Commuters had to put up with months of speed restrictions and emergency timetables whilst every bit of track was checked and repaired. We were asked to be patient. Being Terribly British we duly complied. Ultimately our patience was rewarded with a slower, reduced service that cost more than before.

George Muir is living in la la land. The reason we have a rush hour is because we generally all need to be in the same place at the same time. Increasing fares will not change that fact. It will just make more money for shareholders.

Filed under: Politics, New Labour Spin