Unit Four - Source C

Transport secretary Philip Hammond said:

• Above inflation fare rises could disappear if reforms proposed in an independent report are implemented. 
• He Ruled our fare cuts, warning that the £5.2 billion a year state subsidy is unsustainable. 
• Fare payers currently spend £6.2 billion a year on tickets. 
• Only 12% of the population uses trains. 

Hammond recommends: 

• Cutting £1 billion a year from costs by 2020 
• Handling control of routes to train operators 
• The removal of conductors 
• Increases in regulated fares such as commuter season tickets and off - peak fares on long distance routes will be capped by RPI plus 3% (Currently RPI plus 1%) 
• Taking empty carriages out of service outside rush hour 

Links: 

• http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/may/19/rail-train-tax-fares-hammond
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-14979715