Get On Track.

At the heart of the industrial revolution, there was one machine that literally took the country in new directions.

The advent of the railways allowed a vast amount of the country to be opened up and accessed for the first time for those from different regions and facilitated a nationalising of the British public themselves: all coming together: working, changing and shaping the face of the modern UK.

As a student at the centre of the UK, I see myself in a prime position to utilise and exploit the services available. However, it now appears this gateway is gradually closing itself off; no longer are the trains a viable means of transportation and the resultant problems are bountiful.

Amidst growing concerns over the spiralling costs for HS2 – the high speed rail link between London and Birmingham, and hopefully beyond – the issue of cost of carriage has once again reared its head.

Transport Secretary Philip Hammond acceded that trains are “a rich man’s toy” to MPs in Westminster earlier this week.

Faced with numerous questions over the quality and development of the railway system and how it will fare in the future, the transport secretary stated concerns not only for British commuters post-High Speed 2, but admitted that "Uncomfortable fact number one is that the railway is already relatively a rich man's toy - the whole railway.”

The government has recently changed how it calculates for rail journeys.

For several years, increases were implemented on the basis of inflation plus 1%, however this increment has now risen to plus 3%.

Whilst many railway sector groups have cried out at the statement, this is an issue with which a great many people have long since taken umbrage. Unless one is to know and confirm all appointments approximately 8 weeks in advance, charges to the capital in the south are phenomenally extortionate. An average purchase just a week before for a single from Manchester to London could cost around £50: this being more at peak morning times.

In addition, this ensures that many journeys are being more economical to fund via car.

Considering that a great many of the country’s largest cities are attempting to promote greener lifestyles and lay on more efficient public transport services, the continued viability of the car over the train simply mocks councils’ efforts. With the surge in numbers of people that live further from work, the increased consumption of petrol will of course stain the environmental pledges in a poor light.

Moreover, the cost of running such inefficient services is only highlighted all the more by the way in which people are forced to avoid the train. Catch 22 is that with fewer services, people will complain about lack of choice, but with the mounting costs of a large fleet, there are not adequate enough ticket ranges to compete and expand the market for all those who might enjoy it.

Initial plans for the HS2 announced... 

Stephen Joseph, of the Campaign for Better Transport described fares as 'eye-watering', and pointed out that “Far from being simply 'a rich man's toy' trains are also vital for many of those on more moderate incomes who need to get to work.”

So it is that the train, a British invention, must look abroad to systems such as the TGV for inspiration as to how to deliver a more efficient and affordable model. Since ministers are already fumbling over the High Speed Links, not due to be in service until 2018 at the earliest, there is concern that the country will once more be shut from itself compared to its European counterparts.

Failure to review, reform and revolutionise could spell the apocalypse of the treasure of British transport.

 At least these station users have something to smile about.