Northern (Arriva Rail North)

[knutstransport]

RE: Northern (Arriva Rail North)

(21/05/2017 18:26)Dentonian Wrote:  I agree with the sentiment of increasing fares to reduce the burden on the taxpayer - given most taxpayers don't travel by train from one year to the next - but its the timing and most of all the differing scales that I object to. Ie. The Wigan fare has increased by about 30% in the year or so since the 32 bus was truncated then withdrawn, but the Reddish North fare has only increased once, and still undercuts the competing, commercial bus service by 70p (£2.30 if travelling to the far side of town).

The thinking is for rail fares to be consistent with each other, rather than be cheaper/more expensive than bus/Metrolink fares.

If you pay £3.60 for a Reddish North to Manchester ticket you additionally get free Metrolink travel in the city centre (but not if you buy the reverse ticket!) there are restrictions on the times you can travel in both directions on weekdays unless you instead buy the £5.10 ticket. If you pay £4.30 for a Stagecoach Manchester day ticket that allows you to travel on any Stagecoach bus service that day. So it's a bit like saying why are the pears cheaper than the apples.