One of the reasons that the Campaign Against New Beeching Report (CANBER) motto is "THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW" , is because , when a classic closure strategy is spotted , we believe that it needs to be dealt a decisive blow before it can progress.
What you witnessing in Bristol is the beginning of the end of the suburban rail service. Firstly , passengers will be forced of the trains by lack of seats.
Secondly , as the construction of the Showcase Bus Routes reaches completion at the same time as the Greater Western Franchise profile moves from subsidy to premium , the DfT & FGW are likely to jack up the fares to get rid of the rest.
This will lead to terminal usage decline which will in turn "justify" closure proposals.
Conspiracy theory? Look around you and tell me that this process hasnt already begun.
Chris Grayling has accused ministers of pressurising rail firms to push up prices and force people to stop using the trains (links below.)
http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2007/01/government_driving_up_rail_far_1.html#morehttp://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2007/01/runaway_train_fares_could_driv.html#moreFurther Grayling quote :
"Meanwhile, growing interference from the Department for Transport (DfT) in the details of timetables is leaving the companies with less flexibility over the services they offer."
Above-inflation price rises for rail tickets have come under attack from rail groups and opposition politicians.
Quote :
"There are gathering signs that the state of the railways, a relative political backwater since the introduction of Network Rail, is beginning to become a hot issue once again as pressure groups demand greater investment in the coming 30-year plan for the railways."
Quote from the DfT :
"(we) want the railways to grow."
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