READING the article on the draft Rail Reform Bill (March issue), the section on‘large scale events’ is just a mind-boggling example of counterproductive action driven by current policies.
Transport of large numbers of people between two discrete points at a specific time is exactly the kind of situation for which trains are ideally suited. Yet, instead of trying to flex services to maximise capacity and enable smooth transport of passengers, whilst simultaneously minimising environmental impact (whether emissions or road congestion), the current approach is to raise fares to eye-watering levels and restrict tickets to actively drive people away from using the train as an option.
Putting aside the obvious social and environmental benefits from providing enhanced train capacity for large scale events, they also offer a unique marketing opportunity.