Fares comparison with Europe and music to enjoy :)

Last week Passenger Focus (the rail passengers representative body) published a report that hit the headlines with the claim that UK rail fares are 50% higher than in Europe. The rail operators then came back with the statement that 'Advance' fares are the lowest in Europe. Going beyond these headlines it is true that we have some amazingly low advance purchase fares in Britain. If you have some time to spend on the computer searching for fares, don't mind when you travel and know well in advance what trains you'll be taking you can get some great deals. It works a bit like a plane fare only when it comes to pay the price doesn't triple with 'extras'. These are great fares and since last year anyone with a railcard can get an extra 1/3 off these already low fares. Some of the prices I've seen tickets bought for are almost at the stage of getting the journey for nothing. However, in Britain, as most European countries, we have always enjoyed the luxury of being able to turn up at the station and go. Then we can come back any time, on any train up to a month later. These are the best fares and unsurprisingly they are expensive and often much more expensive than in Europe. What rail companies have to remember is that you don't have to book your car journey in advance and that is the competition. Of course so long as they are filling trains they won't care. That's where the government, the representatives of the people should be stepping in. It is up to the government as infrastructure owners to put in place as much capacity as is needed for the private train operators to run as many trains as is possible to make profit - not make profit by squeezing more out of the existing passengers. After all the government is always going on about its green credientials, how about showing it in practice?

The report by the way is an excellent read and sets out some really good recommendations for moving our fares structure towards a truly user friendly, fare and value for money system. You can read it all here. Having read it, think about dropping a note to your MP to ask when they will be taking up its findings.

Music
On a lighter note if you can find one of those value for money tickets you might be looking for some good music for the journey. Well in addition to enjoying my travels I also like music and here are two of my personal favourites for you to try out and maybe download (legaly please!) for your next journey.

First up is Addison Road and Hope Now. This song was a real encouragement to me this weekend. Life isn't all fun or enjoyment and it just reminded me of the hope we can all have if we look for it. This is a thoughtful song and it left me in an upbeat mood, isn't music great like that!?



Now this is a bit different. I'm not the first person to rush out for this kind of music but I have just discovered the music of Tobymac and I'm sold on it. Listen to the words and enjoy the great sound these guys have produced. Enjoy:



and if you enjoyed that see this video about the making of the above video, its pretty good.



all of the music may be purchased from Itunes or Amazon. Buy it before you travel because I didn't hear anything this good on Virgin Trains radio last time!

Well, its been a long Monday so I'm going to leave it there for tonight. Check back soon people for more random thoughts.