I have recently written to the Transport Minister, John Hayes, who is also our local MP, expressing my dismay at the predictable increase in rail fares and to highlight the difficulties of commuting from the South Holland District.
His office have contacted me to inform me that he will reply as soon as possible.
Here is a copy of the letter:
Dear Mr Hayes, I’m writing as a constituent to register my discontent at the proposed increase to rail fare prices; I am given to understand that fares increase again in January. I believe that the current service is overpriced and does not give customers the satisfaction they deserve.
As Minister of State for the Department of Transport, you are ideally placed to remedy this national problem.
I am sure that you must recognise the disparity between price paid and level of service provided. Frankly, I am dissatisfied and would like you to take action.
I would also like you to provide better public transport in the South Holland area; As a hardworking nurse at Pilgrim Hospital, Boston, I am unable to use the train in Spalding to commute to work due to its limited availability; no Sunday service, no trains available early enough etc.
I do not believe that there is a suitable bus service either. As a responsible citizen who cares about our environment, I would prefer to use public transport rather than my own private vehicle and I believe it is within your gift to improve public transport locally as well as nationally to assist with this.
I am sure you must be aware that train services nationally are often late, unreliable and overcrowded. There are fewer ticket offices and staff at stations to provide help, in addition there are threats to remove guards and extend driver only operated trains. The guards are essential to safe running of the train network. It is ill advised to even consider running a train service without guards.
I want a safe, punctual, reliable and properly staffed railway.
I don’t want to keep paying for the failures of privatisation.
Georgina Harrison
Spalding
