The Department for Transport will allow train operators to raise fares by inflation (RPI) plus 3%. This could lead to fare rises of 6.2%.
Northern Rail and Metro will now work together to agree how the rise will be distributed across the fare structure.
BRUG will be contacting both organisations to campaign for a minimum increase following several years of doubled-up fare rises: RPI +3% + WY premium [BBC] which lead to a 10% fare rise last year.
Metro’s website has now been updated. Low Moor railway was previously due to open in “December 2014”. This has now been updated to “late 2014/early 2015”.
The most logical time for the station to open would be 14th December 2014, railway’s principal change date. And from a publicity aspect if the station was due to open early, then why change the date?
Therefore it is reasonable to assume that the date will actually be “early 2015”, and the most sensible time for introducing the service would be the 15th May 2015. 3 years away.
We are concerned that the station is being pushed down the track and that the residents of Low Moor will continue to have a railway line with no station! – The creation of a railway leads to economic growth and increase house values.
The following are the planned services from Low Moor (as at 26/03/10)
2 services an hour to Leeds
2 services an hour to Halifax (1 continues to Manchester Victoria, 1 continues to Wakefield Westgate*).
We will try find out if this is at all times, peak or off peak.
* for those who ever thought that the Selby – Wakefield 2hr27 minute (19mile direct) service couldn’t justifiably take any longer – it will now include Low Moor!
Leeds station’s new south entrance has been approved. At a cost of £15.2million it will provide easier access to the station from “Holbeck Village”. The entrace will have passenger information, ticket sales and ticket barriers at bridge level.
Having a knowledge of escalators and elevators thurst upon me at home, can someone explain why the proposed solution costs £15.2million?
For those familar with the area, the proposed entrance is in the wrong place for many commuters and will have most benefit to guests at City Inn hotel.
It could have been achieved for a much lower price, but we welcome the development if it increases the number of passengers using the station.
With inflation at -1.4%, rail fares should be fall by 0.4%. They are, except here in West Yorkshire, where they will be rising by 1.6% to “enable investment in additional trains in and around Leeds.”
The Yorkshire and Humber rail utilisation strategy was released mid-July 2009. At 148 pages and with a large number of appendices it would be almost impossible to provide a critique on the full document, therefore, this post will concentrate on the issues affecting the Airedale and Caldervale lines, (those that have the most effect on Bradford).
