The Paul Rogers Blog: My take on train fare prices (From Hereford Times)

The Paul Rogers Blog: My take on train fare prices

3:21pm Friday 8th February 2013 in Paul Rogers Blog By Paul Rogers

THANKFULLY, I don't use the trains much, but I when I do I am staggered at some of the prices I am charged.

For the past few weeks, I have been writing stories about the increase in rail fares and how many inconsistencies in charging there are.

I was amazed that an annual season ticket from Hereford to Ludlow costs nearly £2,000 - an extortionate amount in today's economic climate.

But a season ticket to Worcester costs more than £200 less, despite it being a shorter journey.

Arriva Trains Wales justifies its price increases by saying that it is in line with other rail companies, but the fact remains that there are a lot of variations in charges.

For example, an adult day return ticket from Hereford to Cardiff costs £20.60, whereas one from Cardiff to Swansea (which is about the same distance) is £8.30. How does that work?

I feel sorry for the people who have to use trains regularly in Herefordshire, as they are unfairly treated.

If you get the right deal, you can travel from London to Manchester for £12.50 - saving you £62.30 on an average return ticket.

How many deals do you see from London to Hereford? Not many.

There are very few direct services from Hereford to London as it is, and more often than not you have to change at either Worcester or Newport, which results in the fare going through the roof.

I know people are always advised to buy their tickets in advance and split up their journey to get the cheapest price, but how many actually do that, unless they know the exact time and day they want to travel to and from their destination?

I am also staggered that there are only four railway stations Herefordshire - especially when you consider the size of the county. This means that a lot of people who have to rely on public transport can face a nightmare of a journey getting about if they don’t live near a railway station.

Shouldn’t there be one at Ross-on-Wye, especially bearing in mind that Malvern has two? Even Colwall has got its own station despite having a population of less than Kington.

Shropshire has 19 stations and Worcestershire 17. Herefordshire has just four? I'm sorry, but I think that's a joke!

• What do you think about the current rail prices?

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