Burnham blasts great train robbery

12.00.00am GMT Wed 23rd Jan 2008

Eleanor Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for North Wales, today condemned Welsh rail prices and services provided by train companies. Figures compiled by the Liberal Democrats in Westminster show that Welsh people are paying more than any other European country for its rail services. Research shows that £10 in Britain will take you 27 miles, down from 55 miles in 2002 - twice the cost of traveling the same distance in France.

Ms Burnham said:

"We are paying exorbitant amounts for our railway services in Wales and the service is simply not good enough.

"Welsh rail passengers already pay more per mile than most of the rest of Europe. The 80 mile Holyhead to Chester journey costs an average of £23 whilst the same distance in France would cost £17. Even within Wales, we see price discrepancies with the average return journey from Colwyn Bay to Chester at £13.30 whereas the same distance from Swansea to Cardiff costing £5.10"

"Passenger journeys across the national rail network increased 45% between 1996/97 and 2006/7, however given the increased revenue for the train companies, the money has not filtered down to the rail services for the people who pay for it. The regular hiking-up of train prices is unacceptable given that the services provided by the train companies have gone downhill."

"If we want people to travel on trains we need to aspire to a more accessible, affordable, reliable, clean and fast rail service to serve to economic and social needs of every part of Wales."

ENDS/DIWEDD