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The rail thing

How can a government in such economically bad times ever justify a project on this scale that brings a small benefit to a very small minority of the population! I bet the ticket prices will be more expensive for HS2 than a 'normal' train so no one will even use it! Even when it was (only) about £34bn, as opposed to the £90bn that Stephen mentioned earlier I still think it's hugely unviable purely financially. Speaking of using the money elsewhere in rail transport is all very well, but that still excludes a lot of people. You realise just how not down to Earth the politicians are when they drive round in thier Range Rovers that are all paid for through expenses when the workers (and students like me) who keep this country moving are having to fork out over £25/week for bus fares when even the services are not good at all. It's no wonder so many people don't go on to further and higher education when so much support has been taken out by the government. Something to think about: I read, earlier this year, that in London, the government spends £2700/person on public transport; in the North East (where I live) this figure is £5.

5 May 2012

2:01 pm