Yiannis takes a look at the state of the railways in Britain:
Planes Trains and Automobiles
If you have seen the 1987 film Planes Trains and Automobiles, you’ve probably chuckled at the ridiculous lengths that Steve Martin and John Candy had to go to for their journey home at Thanksgiving. Re-watching it now in 2024 Britain, I have a new sense of sympathy for Steve and John’s struggle as, if this cinematic adventure were to be remade and set in the UK in 2024, they would probably shun the railways altogether.
The cost of train travel: a barrier to mobility
One of the first hurdles that Neal and Del would encounter in the UK is the prohibitive cost of train travel. Taking a typical journey like Bristol to London, travellers are often faced with fares ranging from £60 to £100 for a return ticket. In comparison, driving—despite the price of petrol hovering around £1.50 per litre—would cost significantly less, especially if the expenses are shared among passengers. The disparity grows starker on longer journeys. A flight from London to Edinburgh might only set you back about £30 if booked in advance, while a train ticket could cost over three times as much. The train journey also takes significantly longer—up to five hours, compared to just over an hour by air. This pricing dynamic not only questions the value offered by train travel but also highlights an inefficient pricing structure that can deter potential passengers. It also has implications for the country’s Net Zero ambitions and the Green Agenda.
Delays and strikes: the chronic disruptors
The unreliability of UK trains would be another major script point for our 2024 remake. With delays often caused by infrastructure woes and frequent strikes—currently a weekly headline—the UK's railways struggle to provide the dependable service that commuters and travellers require. Between June 2022 and February 2023, the UK lost over 2.4 million accumulated working days to rail and bus network strikes, underscoring the profound economic impacts of such disruptions. Remit Consulting’s ongoing “ReTurn Report” has regularly confirmed the strong correlation between industrial action and the number of staff choosing to work from home rather than attending the office.
Impact of delays on workplace productivity
Beyond the immediate inconvenience and cost implications, the frequent delays and disruptions in the UK rail network have a significant ripple effect on workplace productivity, particularly for those who rely on trains for their daily commutes. According to the recent Office Worker Survey conducted by Remit Consulting, commuting issues are a prominent factor influencing employees' decisions to work from home or the office with 64% of workers saying that the cost and time spent commuting is the main factor deterring them from returning from the office.
The unpredictability of train schedules can lead to inconsistent arrival times, missed meetings, and a cumulative loss of working hours, which ultimately dampens overall productivity.
Why are we stuck at the station?
The roots of these issues are deep. The UK's railway infrastructure, some of the oldest in the world, is in constant need of costly maintenance and upgrades. The fragmentation introduced by privatisation in the 1990s has led to a confusing array of operators and ticketing systems, adding inefficiencies and cost pressures. Furthermore, the rail sector receives considerably lower subsidies compared to its European counterparts, which translates into higher costs for passengers.
Charting a course forward
The question then arises: what can be done? In advance of the General Election, possible solutions that have been suggested include:
Increased Government Investment: Boosting funding for infrastructure could improve reliability and efficiency.
Policy Overhaul: Introducing either greater competition in the rail sector or considering some form of renationalisation to reduce fragmentation and streamline operations.
Promoting Off-Peak Travel: Encouraging flexible travel times could alleviate congestion and reduce fares for non-peak travellers.
A journey of improvement
If Neal and Del were navigating the UK in 2024, their journey might lack the comedic element of surprise, replaced instead by predictable frustration. However, by addressing these systemic issues, perhaps the UK could rewrite the script for its rail network, turning travel chaos into a smooth ride. As we look towards the future, let’s advocate for a transport system that won’t leave passengers longing for the days of planes and automobiles—or even shower curtain ring salesmen.