Re: Why are UK train tickets so pricey?

On 30 Nov., 13:58, John B <s...@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:


I just quickly checked the DB fares from Hamburg to Frankfurt, and the
fares from London to Newcastle, for a trip leaving early next Friday
morning and returning during the afternoon peak (both journeys are c.
400km and 3hrs - London-Newcastle is slightly further and slightly
quicker, which is also interesting).

The DB fares are EUR118 for the cheapest available advance ticket, and
EUR196 for a SOR equivalent.
The cheapest GNER advance fares are GBP82 (EUR114), with a SOR at
GBP236 (EUR330) [*]. This unscientific benchmark suggests that the
systems are broadly comparable for IC fares, although our peak pricing
is a bit higher. Note that Germany doesn't have a SVR equivalent for
off-peak travel - it's advance purchase or full price.


In Switzerland, there are many people who commute from Berne to
Zurich. The distance is a bit short of 100km and the fastest trains do
it just under an hour. An annual season ticket is 2990 Franks which I
think is 1200 pounds or thereabouts. This ticket not only covers the
train but also the public transport at both ends, and indeed gives
them the freedom to roam over something like 80 to 90 percent of the
Swiss rail system, regardless of operator (amounting to some 4000km or
so) plus the majority of urban and rural bus services, ships etc.

With that sort of offer, you'd be daft to attempt to drive.
.

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